A DOUBLE-MASKED COMPARISON OF BETAXOLOL AND DIPIVEFRIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF INCREASED INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE

Noncardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are used for treatmen t of increased intraocular pressure. Because these agents may be absor bed systemically, their use is of concern in patients with restricted pulmonary function. We compared the efficacy of betaxolol, a cardiosel ective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, and dipivefrin, an alpha/beta-adr energic agonist. Seventy-six patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocul ar hypertension were randomly assigned to receive either betaxolol 0.5 % or dipivefrin 0.1%. Patients were examined at two weeks, one month, two months, and three months. Intraocular pressure reductions were sim ilar, with a mean decrease of 4.1 mm Hg in the betaxolol group and 3.5 mm Hg in the dipivefrin group. Both treatments caused similar minor i ncreases in heart rate, typical with alpha-adrenergic agonists but aty pical with beta-blockers. Stinging or burning in the betaxolol group w as significantly (P = .008) greater than in the dipivefrin group. Our findings suggest that betaxolol and dipivefrin therapy are effective, equivalent ocular hypotensive agents.