Effect of topical Beta blocker (Timolol maleate 0.5%) in primary open angle glaucoma.

The study was undertaken to measure the effects of Beta blocker (Timolol maleate 0.5%) in moderate and advanced stage of primary open angle glaucoma by controlling intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and assessing the visual acuity (VA) and mean sensitivity (MS) of visual field. Study was done in the department of Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbagh, Dhaka from January 2002 to December 2005. It was a Prospective and interventional study. Thirty patients of bilateral primary open angle glaucoma were treated medically by B-blocker (Timolol maleate 0.5%) two times daily. Follow up were done after 7 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Before treatment Intra ocular pressure (IOP) range was 22-30 mm of Hg (mean 23.40 ± 2.04). After beta-blockers IOP reduced to the range of 10-20mm of Hg (mean 13.12 ± 2.01) which was statistically significant (p>0.02) in moderate stage & 8-18 mm Hg (mean 13.50 ± 2.0) in advance stage which was also statistically significant (p<0.02). VA and MS also improved in 15 eyes (50%), remained unchanged in 9 eyes (30%) and deteriorated in 6 eyes (20%) in moderate stage and also improved in 15 eyes (50%), remained unchanged in 6 eyes (20%) and deteriorated in 9 eyes (30%) in advanced stage. Success rate was 80% in moderate (p>0.02) & 70% in advanced stage (p<0.02) and which was statistically significant.