[Effects of timolol and carteolol on ocular pulsatile blood flow]

Effects of timolol (0.5%) and carteolol (2%) on ocular pulsatile blood flow (PBF) were studied in healthy adult volunteers. PBF was measured with the BFA system, analyzing the ocular pressure waves. Each drug was instilled in one eye and PBF was measured in both eyes before and fifteen minutes after the instillation. In each drug, the PBF change between the two measurements was evaluated with a control study, which was performed in the same manner with physiological saline solution. In the non-instilled eyes, both timolol (n = 6) and carteolol (n = 9) had no significant change on PBF. In the instilled eyes, timolol (n = 6) caused no significant change, whereas carteolol (n = 9) increased PBF significantly. The range of the BFA system measurement error was within 4.7 +/- 2.4 microliters/min (P = 95%). Taking the error into account in each instilled eye, timolol (n = 6) increased PBF in 3 eyes and decreased it in 3 eyes, while carteolol (n = 9) increased PBF in 7 eyes, did not change it in one eye and decreased it in one eye. It is thought the effect of carteolol to increase PBF may be explained by endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF).