Effects of switching from topical β-blockers to latanoprost on Intraocular pressure in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

Aims: The effects of switching from topical beta-blockers (beta) to latanoprost (LA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-reduction rate (IOP-RR) in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) were investigated. Subjects and Methods: Sixty (60) NTG patients (60 eyes) were divided into three equal groups receiving carteolol hydrochloride (group A), nipradilol (group B), and betaxolol hydrochloride (group C) twice-daily for 3 months. The drugs were changed to topical LA administered once-daily for the next 3 months. Results: Baseline IOP was 14.4 +/- 0.9, 14.6 +/- 0.6, and 14.6 +/- 0.9 mmHg in groups A, B, and C, respectively. At 3 months, IOP was 12.4 +/- 0.6, 13.4 +/- 0.6, and 12.9 +/- 0.8 mmHg and 10.5 +/- 0.5, 11.1 +/- 0.8, and 11.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg at 6 months in groups A, B, and C, respectively. At 3 months, IOP-RR was 10.4 +/- 5.5, 9.5 +/- 2.6, and 10.8 +/- 4.7% and 24.1 +/- 4.3, 22.9 +/- 5.9, and 19.4 +/- 3.8% at 6 months in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The groups did not significantly differ in the first 3 months regarding IOP and IOP-RR. Switching to LA significantly decreased IOP and increased IOP-RR in all groups. Conclusion: In NTG patients,, LA reduced IOP more effectively than the beta tested.