Levobunolol vs timolol for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Glaucoma and ocular hypertension are significant causes of vision loss.
• Topical beta-blockers are a cornerstone of intraocular pressure (IOP) management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of topical levobunolol (0.5% and 1%) with topical timolol (0.5%) in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
• To evaluate IOP reduction, treatment success rates, and probability of successful treatment.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 162 patients.
• Twice-daily topical administration of 0.5% levobunolol, 1% levobunolol, or 0.5% timolol for up to 15 months.
• Assessment of mean IOP reduction, percentage of patients achieving target IOP, and life-table analysis for treatment success.

Main Results:

• Mean IOP reductions were 8 mm Hg for 0.5% levobunolol/timolol and 8.2 mm Hg for 1% levobunolol.
• No statistically significant differences were found between levobunolol and timolol regarding IOP reduction.
• Similar rates of adequately controlled IOP and probability of successful treatment were observed across all treatment groups.

Conclusions:

• Topical levobunolol (0.5% and 1%) and 0.5% timolol demonstrate comparable efficacy in managing intraocular pressure in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
• Levobunolol presents a viable alternative to timolol for IOP control.