Abstract
Purpose To determine the short- and long-term effects of betaxolol and timolol on human retinal circulation.
Methods In a double-masked, randomised, placebo-controlled study we evaluated the effects of both a one-drop application and a twice-daily 2-week application of either topical 0.5% betaxolol hydrochloride or topical 0.5% timolol maleate on the retinal circulation in 12 healthy volunteers. Laser Doppler velocimetry was used to detect changes in the retinal venous blood flow.
Results In both betaxolol- and timolol-treated eyes, intraocular pressure decreased significantly compared with baseline values after both 90 min and 2 weeks. In betaxolol-treated eyes, retinal blood flow did not change significantly after 90 min, but increased significantly (14 ± 9%; p = 0.02) compared with baseline after 2 weeks. In timolol-treated eyes, retinal blood flow decreased significantly (18 ± 5%: p = 0.04) compared with baseline after 90 min, and also decreased significantly (14 ± 6%; p - 0.04) compared with baseline after 2 weeks.
Conclusions Retinal blood flow increases as a long-term effect of betaxolol and decreases as both a short- and long-term effects of timolol.
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Yoshida, A., Ogasawara, H., Fujio, N. et al. Comparison of short- and long-term effects of betaxolol and timolol on human retinal circulation. Eye 12, 848–853 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1998.216
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1998.216
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