A comparison of the ocular hypotensive efficacy and systemic safety of 0.5% levobunolol and 2% carteolol.

In a 3-month, double-masked, randomized clinical trial, the ocular hypotensive efficacy and systemic safety of 0.5% levobunolol and 2% carteolol were compared in 59 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The overall mean decrease in intraocular pressure was 7.3 mm Hg (27.4%) in the 0.5% levobunolol group and 4.1 mm Hg (14.8%) in the carteolol group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0004). Changes in visual field and cup-disk ratios were few and similar between the groups. Effects on mean heart rate were noted in both treatment groups. The mean decrease in heart rate in the carteolol group was greater (-8.4 beats/min) than in the levobunolol group (-3.1 beats/min). This difference had marginal statistical significance (p = 0.059). We conclude that 0.5% levobunolol and 2% carteolol administered twice daily differ in lowering intraocular pressure as well as in their effects on heart rate.