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Abstract #10421 Published in IGR 6-1
Randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of brimonidine and timolol on visual field loss after acute primary angle closure
Aung T; Oen FT; Wong HT; Chan YH; Khoo BK; Liu YP; Ho CL; See J; Thean LH; Viswanathan ACBritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2004; 88: 88-94
AIM: To compare the effect of brimonidine and timolol in reducing visual field loss in patients with acute primary angle closure (APAC). METHODS: In addition to standard acute medical treatment, patients presenting with APAC were randomized to either brimonidine 0.2% or timolol 0.5% upon diagnosis, then twice daily for four weeks. After laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), subjects underwent three baseline perimetry tests during the first week, and then at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Pointwise linear regression analysis was applied to the field series of each of these subjects starting with the third test (total of five tests per subject). Progression was defined as a significant regression slope (p < 0.05) showing 1 dB per year or more of sensitivity loss at the same test location in the series. Patients were also compared for prevalence of abnormal fields at 16 weeks, which was defined as an abnormal glaucoma hemifield test result and/or corrected pattern standard deviation outside the 95% confidence limits. RESULTS: Fifty-nine subjects (31 in the brimonidine group; 28 in the timolol group) completed the study. There were 47 females (79.7%), the majority of subjects (94.9%) were Chinese and the mean age was 59.2 (SD 7.2) years. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic features, presenting intraocular pressure (IOP), duration of symptoms, time from presentation to LPI, or mean IOP at each study visit. Over the 16 week study period, despite adequate statistical power, no difference was found between groups in terms of the number of patients with progressing locations, the mean number of progressing locations per subject, or the mean slope of the progressing locations. Nine (29%) subjects in the brimonidine group and ten (35.7%) in the timolol group were found to have significant visual field defects at 16 weeks (p = 0.58). Fifteen of these 19 subjects (78.9%) already had these visual field defects in the first week. CONCLUSIONS: In the first 16 weeks after APAC, there was no difference in the prevalence of visual field defects or rate of visual field progression between brimonidine and timolol treated groups.
Dr. T. Aung, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751, Republic of Singapore. tin11@pacific.net.sg
Classification:
9.3.1 Acute primary angle closure glaucoma (pupillary block) (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)
11.3.3 Apraclonidine, brimonidine (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)
