A comparison of morning and evening instillation of a combination travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution.

PURPOSE. To compare the intraocular pressure lowering efficacy and side effect profile of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution dosed in the morning and evening. METHODS. This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-masked, parallel group clinical study of 92 patients with open-angle glaucoma (with or without pseudoexfoliative or pigmentary glaucoma) or ocular hypertension. After a washout of existing glaucoma medications, patients were randomly assigned to receive one drop of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% in the morning or evening for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were mean intraocular pressure (IOP) assessed at 9 am, 11 am, and 4 pm, and safety variables. RESULTS. Travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution, dosed in the morning or evening, controlled IOP consistently throughout the day. Mean IOP ranged from 16.5 to 16.7 mmHg in the morning treatment group and from 16.1 to 17.2 mmHg in the evening treatment group. Travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution produced statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in IOP from baseline; mean reductions ranged from approximately 8 to 10 mmHg (32% to 38%). Travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution was safe and well tolerated with the most frequently reported adverse event being ocular hyperemia, which occurred in 12.5% of patients in the morning treatment group and 13.6% of patients in the evening treatment group. CONCLUSIONS. Travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% given once daily, either in the morning or evening, is a safe and effective treatment for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It may be beneficial for patients judged to be inadequately controlled on a prostaglandin analogue or ophthalmic beta-blocker alone. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2006; 16: 407-15)