Comparison of dorzolamide/timolol versus brimonidine/timolol fixed combination therapy in the management of steroid-induced ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of fixed combinations of dorzolamide-timolol (FCDT) and brimonidine-timolol (FCBT) in patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label study. Patients who received IVTA injections due to diffuse diabetic macular edema and who had an IOP of 24 mm Hg or higher after IVTA treatment were included. They were randomized to receive either FCBT or FCDT twice daily. Follow-up visits were scheduled on week 4 and 12 weeks after starting the study medication. At all follow-up visits, IOP was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry. The primary outcome measure was mean IOP, the secondary outcome was reduction in mean IOP at 4 and 12 weeks compared with postinjection values.

RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio. The FCBT and FCDT groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and preinjection IOP (P>0.05 for all). Mean postinjection IOP was 31.95±7.39 and 29.83±5.17 mm Hg in FCBT and FCDT groups, respectively (P=0.239). After 4 weeks, mean IOP was 17.05±3.61 mm Hg in FCBT and 18.93±3.30 mm Hg in FCDT groups (P=0.063). After 12 weeks, mean IOP in the FCBT and FCDT study groups was 16.35±2.70 and 18.43±2.82 mm Hg, respectively (P=0.012). Both fixed combinations significantly reduced IOP in comparison with the postinjection values (P<0.05). Mean reduction in IOP after 4 weeks were 14.90±7.28 mm Hg in FCBT and 10.90±4.83 mm Hg in FCDT groups (P=0.024); after 12 weeks, these values were 15.60±7.77 and 11.40±5.89 mm Hg in FCBT and FCDT groups, respectively (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS: Both FCBT and FCDT are effective in controlling IOP elevations after IVTA injections. The results of this study suggest that FCBT is superior to FCDT in reducing IOP and provides better IOP control after IVTA injections.