[Comparative study between timolol and pilocarpine in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (author's transl)]

Timolol, a beta-blocker with special influence on aqueous humor production and less influence on outflow facility lowered the intraocular pressure after one single local application for more than 12 hours. Normal diurnal variations of the intraocular pressure were also observed. Fifty open-angle glaucoma patients from the University of Münster, Eye Clinic, took part in a comparative study between Timolol and Pilocarpine. For a period of 17 weeks the patients were given various concentrations of Timolol ophthalmic solution. The continual lowering of the intraocular pressure following Timolol application was noted in 88% of the patients, whereas the rate of success on only 56% could be recorded with Pilocarpine. Side-effects, which for the Pilocarpine-treated patients were very irritating, e. g. miosis with possible night-blindness, accommodation spasms, myopia, etc. were not observed with Timolol. Pupil diameter and pupillary reaction remained unchanged with the application of Timolol. Changes of blood pressure and pulse were not evident. A detrimental influence on the corneal transparency could not be observed in any patient.