Brinzolamide/timolol versus dorzolamide/timolol fixed combinations: A hospital-based, prospective, randomized study

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of brinzolamide/timolol (BT) and dorzolamide/timolol (DT) fixed combinations on intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction.

Patients with primary open angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma were randomized to receive either BT or DT. IOPs were measured at baseline, 2 weeks, and 1, 2, and 3 months. The primary outcome measures were the mean change in IOP from baseline at each visit. Secondary outcome measures included the tolerability of each fixed combination.

Seventy-three patients (73 eyes) were included; 37 eyes in BT group and 36 eyes in DT group. Baseline mean IOP were 24.14 ± 4.5 and 29.53 ± 6 mmHg for BT and DT, respectively (P < 0.001). Both BT and DT provided statistically significant mean IOP reductions from baseline values within each group at all study visits (P < 0.001). DT provided greater mean IOP reductions from baseline than BT at each visit which was statistically significant at 2 weeks (P = 0.037). Mean percentage of IOP reduction was 24.35% and 46.33% at 2 weeks (P < 0.001), and 24.65% and 47% at 3 months (P < 0.001) for BT and DT, respectively. Patients' tolerability appeared to be better for DT than for BT with complete ocular comfort without any ocular adverse effects in 31 patients (81.1%) in DT group and 11 patients (29.7%) in BT group (P < 0.001).

Both drops provide effective IOP reduction which was greater, and patients were more likely to achieve lower target pressures with DT than with BT.