Comparison of the effects of antiglaucomatous fixed combinations and patients compliance: Dorzolamide-timolol maleate and latanoprost-timolol maleate

• Main Authors: Kubilay Çetinkaya, İrfan Uzun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2012-03-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: : Primary open-angle glaucoma; fixed combinations; diurnal variation of intraocular pressure; retinal nerve fiber layer; compliance.
• Online Access: http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/1/DicleMedJ-01092.pdf
• ISSN: 1300-2945; 1308-9889

Objectives: We aimed to compare the effects of fixed combinations of dorzolamide/timolol maleate (DTFC) and latanoprost/timolol maleate (LTFC) at primary open angle glaucoma patients and assess the patient compliance to treatment.Materials and Methods: Forty-four eyes of 24 patients taking LTFC, 35 eyes of 24 patients taking DTFC and totally 79 eyes of 48 patients were included in this study. Patients were followed for 6 months. At 3rd month, diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations were assessed. Perimetry and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analyze were repeated at 6th month.Results: Both medicines had efficiently controlled the IOP and diurnal fluctuations and statistically no significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Perimetric and RNFL measurements were not different in both groups(p>0.05).When we have compared the results of baseline and 6th months, MD and sLV values decreased, RNFL in some cases increased on the other hand we have also observed a decrease in some cases(p<0.05). Ocular irritation was the most common side effect in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups by means of side effects.When compliance and adherence were assessed, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Most of the patients did not forget to take their medicines (DTSK %54.2 and LTSK %66.7) and in following visits, compliance and adherence were improved in both groups. It is detected that duration of medicine use may affect the compliance (p=0.007).Conclusion: It is observed that two medicines controlled the IOP and diurnal fluctuations clinically efficient and effectively, had reasonable side effects and had high patient compliance to treatment.