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Clinical Trial
. 2003 Dec;87(12):1463-5.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.87.12.1463.

Contrast sensitivity improves after brimonidine therapy in primary open angle glaucoma: a case for neuroprotection

D W Evans  1 , S L Hosking, D Gherghel, J D Bartlett
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Contrast sensitivity improves after brimonidine therapy in primary open angle glaucoma: a case for neuroprotection

D W Evans et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Dec.

Abstract

Aims: To determine the visual outcome following initiation of brimonidine therapy in glaucoma.

Methods: 16 newly diagnosed previously untreated glaucoma patients were randomly assigned to either timolol 0.5% or brimonidine 0.2%. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS), visual fields, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, and heart rate were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.

Results: IOP reduction was similar for both groups (p<0.05). Brimonidine improved CS; in the right eye at 6 and 12 cpd (p=0.043, p=0.017); in the left eye at 3 and 12 cpd (p=0.044, p=0.046). Timolol reduced CS at 18 cpd in the right eye (p=0.041). There was no change in any other measured parameters.

Conclusion: Glaucoma patients exhibit improved CS on initiation of brimonidine therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphs showing the baseline findings and 3 month post-treatment data for patients treated with brimonidine 0.2% (solid lines) and timolol 0.5% (broken lines) for the right eye (above) and left eye (below). Data shown (from left to right) include the IOP (mm Hg), and CS at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd. Where significant change occurred the p value is shown; NS  =  not significant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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