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

In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study lasting eight months and involving 40 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, the pressure-lowering effects of 0.25-0.5% timolol maleate were compared those of 0.1% epinephrine hydrochloride and 1% epinephrine. Timolol maleate was significantly more effective in reducing elevated IOP, both before cross-over and overall at both the lowest and highest concentrations of drug used; it was also without adverse side effects. The observed and reported adverse reactions during the epinephrine treatment period, such as blepharoconjunctivitis, burning and stinging after drug instillation, occurred less frequently with 0.1% epinephrine hydrochloride than with 1% epinephrine, whereas reduction of IOP was almost the same.