The effect of timolol on anterior-chamber oxygenation.

Abstract

The effect of timolol maleate, a nonspecific beta-blocking agent, on anterior-segment oxygenation was studied using oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes inserted into the mid-anterior chamber of 13 cat eyes. The anterior-chamber oxygen tension was monitored continuously for two hours following the topical application of three drops of timolol 0.5%. Although a small, but significant, decline in oxygen tension of 19% was observed over the initial 90 minutes (P less than or equal to .05), the overall 10% decrease at the end of two hours was not considered either clinically or statistically significant when compared with a group of controls. Timolol, since it does not contribute significantly to hypoxia, may therefore be a more prudent choice for lowering intraocular pressure in disorders where hypoxia is believed to play an important role, such as in neovascular glaucoma and sickle-cell hyphema.

• Authors: V A Pakalnis, A K Rustgi, E Stefansson, M L Wolbarsht, M B Landers 3rd
• Journal: Annals of ophthalmology (Ann Ophthalmol) Vol. 19 Issue 8 Pg. 298-300 (Aug 1987) ISSN: 0003-4886 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3662313 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Timolol
• Oxygen

Topics

• Animals
• Anterior Chamber (drug effects)
• Cats
• Intraocular Pressure (drug effects)
• Oxygen
• Partial Pressure
• Timolol (pharmacology)