A Comparative Study of Timolol Maleate 0.5% v/s Latanoprost 0.005% In the Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy associated with retinal ganglion cell death that results in visual field loss. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a primary risk factor for the disease. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Primary open angle glaucoma alone accounts for about 75% of all primary glaucoma. Timolol maleate (non selective β adrenergic antagonist) and Latanoprost (prostaglandin analogue) are commonly used drugs. Our aim of study is to compare the ocular hypotensive effect and safety of topical Timolol maleate (0.5%) and Latanoprost (0.005%) in patients of primary open angle glaucoma. A total of 60 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were included and studied for 6 months. One group of patients were given 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops twelve hourly and other group were given 0.005% latanoprost eye drops once a day. In our study both drugs were significantly effective in lowering the intraocular pressure. The mean fall in IOP in Timolol group was 6.69mmHg (26.10%) and in Latanoprost group was 7.20mmHg (28.5%) from pretreatment values. The difference between the values of mean of reduction in IOP from baseline IOP of the two groups was 0.512 mmHg that was statistically insignificant. The systemic and ocular side effects observed in two groups were comparable and both groups were well tolerated. Timolol maleate and Latanoprost both drugs are effective significantly in lowering the IOP, well tolerated and safe with negligible systemic side effects and comparable ocular side effects.