Effects of timolol and acetazolamide on intraocular pressure elevation following argon laser iridotomy

To study the effect of hypotensive agents on intraocular pressure elevation following argon laser iridotomy, 0.5% timolol maleate topically and acetazolamide 125 mg orally were given in 39 eyes, one hour prior to laser iridotomy, with 29 eyes serving as the control. The mean pressure two hours after laser iridotomy was 18.9 +/- 7.2 mmHg in the control group and 12.8 +/- 3.9 mmHg in the pretreated group. Ocular pressure was elevated from the baseline pressure of the prelaser status in two eyes (5%) only in the timolol-acetazolamide treated group and in 16 eyes (55%) in the control group. The pressure elevation two hours after laser iridotomy was significantly less in the timolol-acetazolamide pretreated group.