COMPARISON OF TIMOLOL AND PILOCARPINE COMBINATION VERSUS CONCOMITANT THERAPY - A 6 MONTH FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

An open-label clinical trial with Timpilo, a fixed-ratio combination o f pilocarpine and timolol (TP2), was conducted to evaluate its long-te rm efficacy and safety in 36 patients with open-angle glaucoma who wer e followed for 6 months. The hypotensive effect of TP2 (a combination of timolol 0.5% and pilocarpine 2%) was compared with pilocarpine 2% f our times a day and timolol 0.5% twice a day. In addition, TP4 (timolo l 0.5% and pilocarpine 4%) applied twice a day were compared with timo lol 0.5% twice a day and pilocarpine 4% four times a day. All addition al antiglaucoma therapy was maintained constant throughout the study. Five groups of patients were defined according to their prestudy medic ations. The combined preparations TP2 and TP4 controlled the patients' intraocular pressure (IOP) to the same extent as their prestudy regim en after 1 month of treatment. At 6 months, IOP was controlled in the patients to the same extent as in their prestudy period by the combine d preparation in three of the five groups. Both TP2 and TP4 were well tolerated by the patients.