Side effects of topical treatment in pigmentary glaucoma

A series of 35 patients with pigmentary glaucoma were asked to report possible side effects of topical glaucoma medication using a multiple-choice questionnaire. Of the 31 patients (89%) returning the forms, 22 (71%) were men and 9 (29%) women with a mean age of 45.1 years, range 23 to 72 years. The mean follow-up time of their glaucoma was 10.7 years, range 2 to 30 years. A mild burning feeling (in 50% in all treatment groups) and redness of the eyes (in 42% treated with timolol alone and in 50% with timolol combined with dipivephrine, pilocarpine or both) were the main complaints, followed by a slight reduction of vision (in 17% in the timolol group and in 56% with combined treatment) and mild watering of the eyes (in 42% of the timolol and in 31% of the combined treatment groups). Twenty-three percent of the patients did not have any side effects from their topical medication. Patients who admitted defaulting their topical treatment once a month amounted to 43% and once a week to 17%. Patients who admitted to never having missed a drop amounted to 40% of the sample; forgetfulness and haste were the main reasons for not applying the drops.