Comparison of the efficacy and safety of fixed combination travoprost/timolol and dorzolamide/ timolol in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

INTRODUCTION Combining two medications in one bottle may improve compliance by reducing the time required to administer drops and the frequency of the total number of medication bottles. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) and safety of fixed combination travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% vs. fixed combination dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS Prospective randomized clinical study included 60 patients divided into 2 groups. Follow-up was done at day 14 and 45 and month 3. IOP measurements were taken at each follow-up examination at 8 am, 10 am and 4 pm. RESULTS Both fixed combinations reduced IOP significantly compared to initial values at all follow-ups (p < 0.001). Mean pooled IOP at all visits and time points was slightly lower in the travoprost/timolol group compared with the dorzolamide/timolol group (16.13 mmHg vs. 16.15 mmHg). Mean IOP reduction from baseline ranged from -7.46 mmHg to -9.92 mmHg in the travoprost/timolol group and from -6.93 mmHg to -8.93 mmHg for the dorzolamide/timolol group. Mean (+/- standard error of the mean) reduction in diurnal LOP from baseline to 3rd month was 8.96 +/- 2.79 in the travoprost/timolol group versus 8.07 +/- 2.91 in patients receiving dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (p = 0.196). The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were conjunctival hyperemia in the travoprost/timolol group, and dry eye and foreign body sensation in the dorzolamide/timolol group. CONCLUSION Travoprost/timolol fixed combination was slightly more effective than dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination in reducing mean diurnal IOP. Travoprost/timolol group resulted in an IOP reduction for up to 1.07 mmHg higher than dorzolamide/timolol group. Both fixed combinations were well tolerated and safe.