Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ARTICLES
Year
: 1982  |  Volume : 30  |  Issue : 5  |  Page : 427--429

Topical beta blockers and ocular tension in human eyes


YP Singh, Gopal Das, Bharti 
 Deptt. of Ophthalmology, S.N. Medical College & Hospital, Agra, India

Correspondence Address:
Y P Singh
Deptt. of Ophthalmology, S.N. Medical College & Hospital, Agra
India




How to cite this article:
Singh Y P, Das G, Bharti. Topical beta blockers and ocular tension in human eyes.Indian J Ophthalmol 1982;30:427-429


How to cite this URL:
Singh Y P, Das G, Bharti. Topical beta blockers and ocular tension in human eyes. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1982 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];30:427-429
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1982/30/5/427/29217


Full Text

The effect of two Beta blockers Pro�pranolol (1%, 2% & 4%) and Timolol maleate (0.25% and 0.5%) has been tested on normotensive and glaucomatous eyes. The Timolol was used only in glaucomatous eyes. Results show that both the Beta blockers have got marked hypotensive effect on normotensive and glaucomatous eye. The fall intraocular tension was higher in eyes with higher initial intraocular tension. Tachyphylaxia was seen in only 20% cases on Propranolol therapy. They both have additive effect with Pilocarpin.

The present study has been undertaken to find out the effect of B-blockers on normal intraocular pressure, in chronic simple glau�coma, narrow angle glaucoma, buphthalmos, medical measure and operation failed glau�comatous eyes.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS



The study has been divided into 5 groups [Table 1] :�

Routine eye examination, visual acuity, ophthalmoscopy, Tonometry, water drinking or mydriatic provocative tests, visual field charting, gonioscopy, measurement of pupill�ary size were done,

The B-blockers used in this study�

I. Propranolol 1%, 2% & 4%

2. Timolol 0. 25%, 0.5%

The heart rate, blood pressure and corneal sensation were recorded at the time of maximum effect of B-blocker eye solution and in the last, patient was asked if he noticed any itching or any discomfort after putting these drops.

 OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION



Propranolol 1. Normal eyes with mean I.O.P. 18 mm. Hg. The mean maximum fall in I.O.P. in normal by 3rd hour with '1 drops was 3.4 mm. Hg ; with 2% drops it was : 4.5 mm. Hg. The control eyes showed a maximum fall of 0.7 mm. Hg. probably due to diurnal variation.

2. Glaucomatous eyes with mean I.O.P. 35 mm. Hg. The mean maximum fall in I.O.P. with 1% drops was : 5.4 mm . Hg; with 2% drops : 7.0 mm. Hg. and with 4% drops it was : 8 mm. Hg. The control eyes had a maximum drop of 1.8 mm.Hg.

In 80% cases, on follow up for 180 days, having mean initial tension 27 mm. Hg. the tension remained between 19.4 - 20.5 mm. Hg. by 2% Propranolol twice a day.

In 2 eyes of Scheie's operation failed glau�coma (Nonformation of bleb) the mean tension lowered from initial tension 28.9 to 23.0 mm. Hg. by 2% Propranolol eye drops two times a day.

In 2 eyes the addition of Propranolol 2% eye drops twice a day with Pilocarpine regime lowered the tension by 5.2 mm.. Hg.

Timolol Eye Drops The mean intraocular pressure of 29.5 mm. Hg. was lowered down to 17.7 mm. Hg. after 2 weeks of therapy with Timolol 0.25% twice a day. The greatest decrease was 15.4 mm. Hg. and the lowest was 2 5 mm. Hg. The man fall being 11.8 mm. Hg. with 0.5% Timolol twice a day for 2 weeks. The mean fall in I.O.P. was: 19.4 mm. Hg.

Additional effect of timolol was observed in 2 narrow angle glaucoma on Pilocarpine therapy and 4 open angle glaucoma on pilocar�pine therapy and 2 open angle glaucoma Pilocarpine and Acetazolamide therapy, 2 buphthalmos eyes on Pilocarpine and Acetozol�amide and 2 Scheie's operation failed eyes. It failed to prove additional advantage in one buphthalmos eye and one case of failed.

The beta blockers did not have any effect on pupillary size and visual acuity. There was no change in peripheral and central fields and cup-disc ratio. While Timolol did not have any effect on corneal sensation propranolol did lower the corneal sensation. Some evidence of tachyphylaxis was noticed with Propranolol but none with Timolol.

 SUMMARY



Various concentrations of Propranolol and Timolol have been evaluated to control intraocular tension.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT



Thanks are due to Dr. Anklesaria, of M.S.D for the supply of Timolol and Pro�pranolol eye drops.