The efficacy of a monocular drug trial in normal-tension glaucoma

Diurnal intraocular pressure with bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination versus latanoprost/timolol fixed combination in healthy subjects

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of a bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination (BTFC) and a latanoprost/timolol fixed combination (LTFC) on diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior ocular parameters in healthy subjects.

METHODS

We enrolled 58 healthy subjects in this prospective clinical study. Thirty subjects were treated with BTFC and 28 subjects were treated with LTFC. IOP was measured every 2 hours except from 01:00 and 05:00. Axial length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth were obtained using the IOL master at baseline and 24 hours later. Adverse events were assessed by patient interview and by slit lamp examination.

RESULTS

The largest difference in IOP between treated and untreated eyes 8 hours after instillation was 1.67 mmHg in the BTFC group (p < 0.001). The largest difference in IOP between treated and untreated eyes 10 hours after instillation was 1.93 mmHg in the LTFC group (p < 0.001). For anterior ocular parameters such as axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth at baseline and 24 hours after instillation, there were no significant differences between the baseline and 24-hour values in either the BTFC or LTFC group. The most frequently occurring adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia, which was found in 33.3% (n = 10) of the BTFC group and 25.0% (n = 7) of the LTFC group (p = 0.486).

CONCLUSIONS

BTFC and LTFC provided a significant reduction in IOP from baseline without changing any anterior ocular parameters. Our results provide a reference for monocular trials to assess the effect of eye drops in a clinical condition.