Addition of or switch to topical bunazosin hydrochloride in elderly patients with normal-tension glaucoma: A one-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.01% bunazosin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (bunazosin) for elderly patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) as an addition to or instead of their previous therapy.

METHODS

Bunazosin was administered to NTG patients aged 65 years or over who had been undergoing topical glaucoma therapy. In accordance with the study protocol, intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual field measurement were performed and the safety of the treatment was evaluated periodically between week 0 and week 52 at the five facilities where the study was carried out.

RESULTS

Of the 98 enrolled patients, 84 (85.7%) were followed up for 52 weeks. During the follow-up period, IOP significantly and persistently decreased (week 0, 15.0 +/- 2.5 mmHg; week 52, 13.4 +/- 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.0001), but the decrease in mean deviation (MD) was not significant. Although no systemic adverse reactions were observed, local adverse events were noted in 7 of the 98 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of or the switch to bunazosin in elderly NTG patients resulted in a significant reduction of IOP without apparent exacerbation of visual field defects or systemic or local adverse reactions other than conjunctival hyperemia.