Nikola Babic, Vladimir Canadanovic, Zoran Zikic
Eye Clinic, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia

Aim: To evaluate the safety and intraocular pressure–lowering effects of travoprost 0.004% and timolol 0.5% throughout the diurnal curve in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Methods: The prospective clinical study included 60 patients (120 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The patients were randomised into 2 groups to receive travoprost 0.004% (Travatan) once daily in the evening or timolol 0.5% (Glaumol) twice daily.
Results: Both medications significantly reduced intraocular pressure at all time points at all follow-up visits (p < 0.001). Intraocular pressure was significantly lower among patients receiving travoprost than among those receiving timolol at 8 of 12 visits. For all visits, the mean diurnal intraocular pressure was 17.57 mm Hg for the travoprost group and 19.17 mm Hg for the timolol group. The mean intraocular pressure reduction from baseline was significantly greater for travoprost (-6.06 mm Hg to -8.03 mm Hg) than for timolol (-4.20 mm Hg to -6.21 mm Hg) [p < 0.001]. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were conjunctival hyperaemia and foreign body sensation in the travoprost group and dry eye sensation in the timolol group. Tolerance was better for the patients receiving timolol than for those receiving travoprost.
Conclusions: Travoprost 0.004% once daily was significantly superior to timolol 0.5% twice daily for lowering intraocular pressure. Travoprost resulted in an intraocular pressure reduction of up to 2.43 mm Hg greater than timolol. Both drugs were well tolerated and safe.

Key words: Glaucoma, open-angle, Ocular hypertension, Timolol, Travoprost

Asian J Ophthalmol. 2008;10:215-220.