Objectives: to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of replacing
beta blockers with either Brimonidine or Latanoprost in mono-therapy, for
patients diagnosed with well-controlled Open Angle Chronic Glaucoma.
Method: This clinical study, both descriptive and prospective, was
carried out on out-patients of the "Centre d'Atencio Primaria Manso"
diagnosed with Open Angle Chronic Glaucoma and already treated with beta
blockers. An initial evaluation of all the patients was made before changing
the treatment. Patients were assigned at random to one of the two groups. An
evaluation was made monthly using the same observer in which the IOP was
measured, the optical cup was evaluated and the patient was asked about
possible adverse reactions, both local and general. The length of the study was
one year. The initial IOP was calculated by averaging the last 3 measurements
with previous treatments. Differences between initial IOP of the 2 groups was
not statistically significant.
Results:
The observation shows that both new drugs achieve lower IOP levels than
beta blockers in the first three months. Then, these IOP levels reach the same
level achieved with beta blockers.