EFFECTS OF OCULAR BETAXOLOL ON GLUCOSE AND LIPID-METABOLISM AFTER LONG-TERM TREATMENT

Seventy-five healthy adult men with ocular hypertension or recently di agnosed primary open angle glaucoma were enrolled in a prospective, ra ndomised, double-blind study to determine the effects of an ocular bet a(1)-selective antagonist, betaxolol 0.5%, on plasma total cholesterol , high density fraction, triglycerides and glucose during a treatment period of 6 months. Group A, consisting of 40 patients, received 0.5% betaxolol 1 drop in both eyes twice daily without nasolacrimal occlusi on; group B, involving 35 patients, received only the vehicle of betax olol (placebo), in the same doses without nasolacrimal occlusion. Card iac parameters such as atrioventricular conduction, pulse rate and bot h systolic and diastolic blood pressure were controlled during the stu dy. After monthly checks and at the end of the trial, betaxolol did no t produce any significant variations in plasma lipid and glucose level s in the patients examined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effects of a beta(1)-selective beta-blocke r for ocular use on lipid and glucose metabolism over a prolonged trea tment period.