The Additive Effect of 0.2%Brimonidine[Alphagan]to Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blockers in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma.

Jeong, Chang Woog; Seong, Gong Je

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2000;41(3):731-736.
Published online March 1, 2000.

The Additive Effect of 0.2%Brimonidine[Alphagan]to Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blockers in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma.

Chang Woog Jeong, Gong Je Seong

¹The Institute of Vision Research.
²Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Youngdong Severance Hospital.

개방각 녹내장 환자에서 0.2% Brimonidine ( Alphagan (R) ) 추가 요법의 효과

정창욱(Chang Woog Jeong),성공제(Gong Je Seong)

Abstract

Effect and side effects of adding 0.2% brimonidine to beta blockers was studied in 44 eyes of 32 glaucoma patients with inadequately controlled intraocular pressure[IOP]with beta blockers alone. Routine eye examination and IOP measurement were performed before the additive therapy. 0.2% brimonidine eye drops were topically applied three times a day with previously used beta blockers. IOP was measured at 1 week, 1 month, and 3months after the combined therapy. Mean IOP was 17.2 +/-1.8 millimeters of mercury before combined therapy ;13.5 +/-1.6 millimeters of mercury after 1 week, 14.3 +/-2.5 millimeters of mercury after 1 month and 13.6 +/-2.3 millimeters of mercury after 3 months of therapy. Side effects of combined therapy were oral dryness[25.0%], ocular pain[9.4%], and blurring[6.3%]. These results indicate that adding 0.2%brimonidine in patients treated with beta blockers causes a further reduction of IOP that may prove to be clinically useful in glaucoma therapy.

Key Words: 0.2% Brimonidine;Beta blockers;Glaucoma;IOP