[Timolol eyedrops in ophthalmological practice].

Fifty-eight glaucoma patients (105 eyes) of an ophthalmological practice were treated with Timolol eyedrops (0.1%-0.5% once or twice daily) over a long-term period. In group 1 - without pre-treatment (12 patients) pressure was lowered by 34%. In group II, glaucoma patients who were insufficiently stabilized by conservative treatment. Timolol was added to the glaucoma medication and thus a further pressure decrease of 27% was achieved. Group III comprised 24 glaucoma patients who, although their intraocular pressure was satisfactorily controlled, had problems with their medication. After having been switched to Timolol alone they presented a further decrease in IOP of 22%. Group IV comprised those patients resistant to Timolol therapy (six patients; 10%) who showed no further reduction in IOP--neither with Timolol alone nor in combination with other glaucoma medication. Advantages and slight disadvantages of Timolol therapy were discussed. Timolol is the only local glaucoma medication without ascertainable side-effects and thus represents a gain for the therapeutic spectrum of the practitioner.