[Long-term treatment of glaucoma with propranolol ophthalmic solution (author's transl)]

The intraocular pressure-lowering effect of the beta-blocker Propranolol, in a concentration of 0.5% eye drops, was tested over a long-term study period of six years on 27 patients. We describe the treatment of angle-closure (eight patients) and open-angle glaucoma (14), congenital glaucoma (2), pigmentary glaucoma (2) and aphakic glaucoma (1). Propranolol decreased intraocular pressure without causing miosis, accommodative spasm or other irritating side effects. In seven patients, however, the pressure was not lowered sufficiently with each treatment. During the examination period pulse rate was slowed and blood pressure reduced to a relatively minor extent, but this did not seriously affect circulation.