Clinical Effectiveness of a Brinzolamide 1%-Brimonidine 0.2% Fixed Combination for Normal Tension Glaucoma in South Koreans

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a brinzolamide 1%-brimonidine 0.2% fixed combination (BBFC) for normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in a South Korean population. METHODS: This study included 45 patients who were newly diagnosed with NTG and treated with BBFC as the first therapy from January 2016 through December 2016. The unilateral eye of NTG eyes of all patients were enrolled. If both eyes were eligible, the eye with the more severe glaucomatous change was selected. If the glaucomatous change was similar in both eyes, the right eye was selected. The patients received the BBFC twice a day. Diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured every 2 and 1/2 hours between 0900 am and 0430 pm. The IOP change with respect to body position (positional IOP) was measured at baseline and at 6 months after eyedrop instillation. Throughout the study, all side effects were recorded and monitored by the investigators. RESULTS: Ten patients were excluded due to an allergic reaction or follow-up loss. A total of 35 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean IOP was 15.32 ± 4.00 mmHg at baseline and 13.38 ± 3.30 mmHg at 6 months after BBFC instillation (p < 0.001). The IOP fluctuation decreased from 3.33 ± 3.10 to 2.35 ± 1.40 mmHg after BBFC instillation; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.150). The mean change in positional IOP showed a statistically significant reduction from 16.94 ± 3.18 to 14.80 ± 3.27 mmHg (p = 0.025). There was no serious adverse drug reaction except in three cases of allergic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: BBFC is effective for the reduction of mean IOP and positional IOP in NTG patients.