Efficacy of Brimonidine 0.2 Per Cent as Adjunctive Therapy to Beta-Blockers: A Comparative Study between POAG and CACG in Asian Eyest
NGAMKAE RUANGV ARA V ATE, M.D.*, ANKANA METHEETRAIRUT, M.D.*, NARIS KITNARONG, M.D.*, WIMOLRAT DANWIRIYA KUL, B.Sc. **
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, ** Operative-Nursing Division, Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. t Oral presentation at the Inaugural Scientific Meeting of South East Asian Glaucoma Interest Group, November 27,2000, Siam Inter-continental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
Objective : To compare the efficacy and safety profile of brimonidine as adjunctive therapy to beta-blockers between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG) in Asian eyes.
Design : Three-months, open-label, prospective study. Participants : Twenty-three patients (35 eyes) with POAG and 25 patients (39 eyes) with CACG were enrolled in the study.
Intervention : Patients with POAG or CACG post iridectomy whose lOP was inadequately controlled with topical beta-blocker monotherapy were included. Then, brimonidine 0.2 per cent was added twice daily in both groups. Study visit occurred at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed in all visits.
Main outcome measures : Efficacy was determined by reduction in lOP from baseline and tolerability was assessed by reports of adverse events.
Results : After 3 months of brimonidine adjunctive treatment, the mean (± SEM) lOP reduction were 4.37 ± 0.34 mmHg (19.4%) in POAG and 4.54 ± 0.37 mmHg (20.1%) in CACG (p= 0.741). No serious ocular or systemic adverse event was reported.
Conclusion : Brimonidine was well tolerated, efficacious and provided additive lOP reduction in POAG and CACG.
Keywords : Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma (CACG), Topical Beta-Blocker, Brimonidine, Adjunctive Therapy
