[Betoptic, a new possibility in the treatment of glaucoma]

The authors present an account of their findings in connection with a new selective beta 1 adrenergic antagonist in the preparation Betoptic. They compared its effect on intraocular pressures, pulse rate, systemic blood pressure and vital capacity of the lungs in ten patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with the effect of Timoptol and placebo in equally sized groups. They found that the preparation reduces reliably the intraocular pressure, it does not reduce the pulse rate and does not influence the vital capacity and systemic blood pressure. They did not detect any local or general undesirable effects. It can be therefore used even in subjects where unselective beta blockers are contraindicated or poorly tolerated.