Timolol versus pilocarpine separately or combined with acetazolamide-effects on intraocular pressure

Fifty-eight patients with intraocular hypertension or primary open angle glaucoma participated in a double masked randomized study. Timolol in concentrations 0.25% and 0.5% was compared with 1, 2, or 4% pilocarpine Acetazolamide (250 mg x 3) was added if intraocular pressure (IOP) was uncontrolled with the highest concentrations tested. No statistical difference was found in hypotensive effect between pilocarpine and timolol neither on ocular hypertensions nor glaucomas. The additive hypotensive effect of acetazolamide was the same for both substances. Once a day by administration of timolol was sufficient in 17 of 20 cases controlled merely by topical administration.