SOME OCULAR AND SYSTEMIC EFFECTS OF TOPICAL BRIMONIDINE VERSUS TIMOLOL IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Abstract

World-wide glaucoma is a major health problem and the leading cause of preventable blindness. Conventional treatment includes, among others, 13 -blockers and a-adrenoceptor agonists.

Topically administered 13-blockers are generally the first agents used to treat open angle glaucoma. However, cardiovascular and pulmonary side effects associated with 13-blockers limit their clinical utility in elderly patients or those with pre-existing or subclinical cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Brimonidine tartrate is a new highly selective and potent a2-adrenoceptor agonist. Brimonidine is a promising drug for the long-term therapy of glaucoma as it lowers IOP in glaucomatous and ocular hypertensive eyes. Moreover, brimonidine may have a role in glaucoma patients who are already on 13-blocker therapy and it is inadequate to maintain a desirable lOP over the long-term.