Abstract | PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment with betaxolol can delay or prevent the conversion from ocular hypertension to early glaucoma on the basis of visual field criteria, by means of a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-six ocular hypertensives were randomized to treatment with either betaxolol drops or placebo drops during the period 1992-1996. Each patient was followed prospectively with 4-monthly visits. Examination at each visit included visual field testing, intra-ocular pressure (IOP) measurement and optic disc imaging. Conversion to early glaucoma was defined on the basis of visual field change by AGIS criteria. An intent-to-treat analysis compared visual field conversion after 3 years in the treatment and placebo arms. Normal visual field survival analysis was also performed. The IOP characteristics of the two treatment groups were compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients completed the study, which ended in 1998, with a range of follow-up of 2-6 years. Sixteen (13.2%) of 121 patients in the placebo group converted to glaucoma, compared with 12 (9.0%) of 134 patients in the betaxolol group. The intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated no evidence of any difference in conversion rates between the betaxolol and placebo groups after 3 years. Visual field survival analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the betaxolol and placebo groups. The betaxolol-treated group had significantly lower post-treatment IOP values. Converters had significantly higher pre- and post-treatment IOP values than non-converters. CONCLUSIONS:
Betaxolol significantly lowered the IOP level compared with placebo. Conversion to glaucoma was found to be related to both the baseline and post-treatment IOP levels. However the intent-to-treat analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the conversion rate in the betaxolol-treated group.
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Authors | Deborah Kamal, David Garway-Heath, Simon Ruben, Fiona O'Sullivan, Catey Bunce, Anath Viswanathan, Wendy Franks, Roger Hitchings |
Journal | Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie
(Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol)
Vol. 241
Issue 3
Pg. 196-203
(Mar 2003)
ISSN: 0721-832X [Print] Germany |
PMID | 12644943
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Betaxolol
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Topics |
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Aged
- Betaxolol
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Glaucoma
(diagnosis, prevention & control)
- Humans
- Intraocular Pressure
(drug effects)
- Male
- Ocular Hypertension
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Prospective Studies
- Visual Fields
(drug effects)
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