COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 0.5% TIMOLOL AND 2% DORZOLAMIDE IN PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

OBJECTIVES: To compare the IOP reducing efficacy and safety of 0.5% timolol and 2% dorzolamide in primary open angle glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective, open labelled, randomised comparative study, 60 patients received either 0.5% timolol twice daily (n=30) or 2% dorzolamide twice daily (n=30) for 6 months. IOP was measured every fortnight. RESULTS: The mean IOP reduction from baseline was 15.55mmHg for dorzolamide group and 13.45 for timolol group, but not statistically significant (p = 0.028). Dorzolamide group had higher incidence of adverse effects like ocular irritation compared to timolol group, but not statistically significant (p = 0.097). CONCLUSION: 0.5% timolol eye drops twice daily is non inferior in IOP lowering efficacy compared to 2% dorzolamide eye drops twice daily in patients with POAG. Incidence of adverse effects like ocular irritation was higher in dorzolamide group compared to timolol group.