To study the comparison of efficacy and side effect profile of bimatoprost 0.03% versus fixed combination timolol 0.5% and dorzolamide 2% in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

To study IOP lowering efficacy and side effect profile of bimatoprost 0.03% versus fixed combination timolol 0.5% and dorzolamide 2%.

Prospective, open, randomized, parallel group, comparative study, 100 patients of POAG/ocular hypertension with moderate glaucomatous damage attending the outpatient department of ophthalmology, at our institute were included.

The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, each having a sample size of 50 patients. Group 1 instilled 1 drop of Bimatoprost 0.03%at 8 p.m. (once daily) for 12 weeks and Group 2 instilled 1 drop of fixed drug combination of timolol 0.5% and dorzolamide 2% at 8a.m. and 1 drop at 8p.m. for 12 weeks. All the patients were subjected to the detailed ocular examination following examination and tests at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after starting the study treatment.

Both the groups showed comparable IOP reductions in the patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean IOP reduction among the two groups’ at all follow-up visits. The most frequently reported adverse effect was conjunctival hyperaemia in bimatoprost group and burning, stinging sensation in eyes and taste perversion in the DTFC group.

Bimatoprost can be used as a long term monotherapy agent in the treatment of POAG and ocular hypertension providing good efficacy with an easy dosing regimen and without much side effects.