Contrast sensitivity improves after brimonidine therapy in primary open angle glaucoma: a case for neuroprotection.

Abstract

AIMS:

To determine the visual outcome following initiation of brimonidine therapy in glaucoma.

METHODS:

16 newly diagnosed previously untreated glaucoma patients were randomly assigned to either timolol 0.5% or brimonidine 0.2%. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS), visual fields, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, and heart rate were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.

RESULTS:

IOP reduction was similar for both groups (p<0.05). Brimonidine improved CS; in the right eye at 6 and 12 cpd (p=0.043, p=0.017); in the left eye at 3 and 12 cpd (p=0.044, p=0.046). Timolol reduced CS at 18 cpd in the right eye (p=0.041). There was no change in any other measured parameters.

CONCLUSION:

Glaucoma patients exhibit improved CS on initiation of brimonidine therapy.

• Authors: D W Evans, S L Hosking, D Gherghel, J D Bartlett
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 87 Issue 12 Pg. 1463-5 (Dec 2003) ISSN: 0007-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 14660453 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Quinoxalines
• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2
• Brimonidine Tartrate
• Timolol

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Analysis of Variance
• Brimonidine Tartrate
• Contrast Sensitivity
• Glaucoma, Open-Angle (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure (drug effects)
• Middle Aged
• Quinoxalines (therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 (drug effects)
• Timolol (therapeutic use)