We reviewed all the records of the Glaucoma Service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (N = 1,700) to assess the ocular hypotensive effect of topical beta;-blockers in glaucoma patients receiving oral beta;-blocker therapy. We identified 27 patients with elevated intraocular pressure who were using systemic beta;-blockers before the initiation of topical beta;-blocker therapy and compared them with 28 control patients with elevated intraocular pressure who were not using oral beta;-blockers when a topical beta;-blocker was started. The intraocular pressure-lowering effect of topical beta;-blockers was shown to be significantly reduced in patients receiving oral beta;-blockers (p 0.02). beta;-receptor selectivity of the oral and topical agents were found to be contributing factors in predicting the additive effect of topical beta;-blocker therapy during systemic beta;-blockade.
展开▼
