Timolol maleate: side effects on healthy nonglaucomatous volunteers

As the number of military pilots over the age of 40 increases, open-angle glaucoma becomes an important aeromedical problem. Epinephrine ophthalmic solution is the only antiglaucomatotic agent in use among flying personnel. Timolol maleate, a new antiglaucomatotic agent, is a nonselective beta-blocker. This drug has a potent hypotensive effect on intraocular pressure with a minimal effect on visual functions. Our data show that it significantly decreases the pulse rate and may eventually be a basis for cardiac dysrythmias.