Ophthalmic beta-blockers since timolol

In the twenty years since beta-blockers were proposed for treatment of glaucoma, use of topical timolol has increased to account for 70% of all glaucoma medications used. The objective of this article is to review the “newer” beta-blockers, and to address the generalization that “all ophthalmic beta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSurvey of Ophthalmology Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 307 - 327
Main Author Novack, Gary D.
Format Book Review Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.1987
Elsevier Science
Subjects
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - adverse effects
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - blood
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use
Anesthetics, Local
beta-adrenergic antagonists
beta-blockers
Biological and medical sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry
clinical trials
Clinical Trials as Topic
Drug Tolerance
Eye
glaucoma
Glaucoma - drug therapy
Humans
intraocular pressure
Medical sciences
Ophthalmology - trends
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Research Design
Sympathomimetics - therapeutic use
Time Factors
Timolol - therapeutic use
Visual Fields - drug effects
beta-blockers
clinical trials
intraocular pressure
beta-adrenergic antagonists
glaucoma
Glaucoma
Local administration
Chemotherapy
Eye disease
Treatment
Beta blocking agent
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Summary:In the twenty years since beta-blockers were proposed for treatment of glaucoma, use of topical timolol has increased to account for 70% of all glaucoma medications used. The objective of this article is to review the “newer” beta-blockers, and to address the generalization that “all ophthalmic beta-blockers are the same.” The review concentrates on agents that have been studied as topical treatments for patients with elevated intraocular pressure. Sections on pharmacology and design of clinical trials are included to aid the ophthalmologist in evaluating new drugs and published clinical reports. The major questions to consider in evaluating the therapeutic potential of a new beta-blocker for the treatment of glaucoma involve efficacy and safety: Is the drug as effective as timolol? Does it have a duration of action at least as long as timolol? Does it have ocular toxicity? Is it comfortable? What are its systemic effects?
ISSN:0039-6257
1879-3304
DOI:10.1016/0039-6257(87)90116-0