Skip to main content
PMC home page
PLOS ONE logoLink to PLOS ONE
. 2012 Sep 13;7(9):e45079. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045079

Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Effects of Commonly Used Fixed-Combination Drugs with Timolol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jin-Wei Cheng 1,#, Shi-Wei Cheng 2,#, Lian-Di Gao 1, Guo-Cai Lu 3,#, Rui-Li Wei 1,#
Editor: Pedro Gonzalez4
PMCID: PMC3441590  PMID: 23028770

Abstract

Background

The first goal of medical therapy in glaucoma is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), and the fixed-combination medications are needed to achieve sufficiently low target IOP. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate IOP-lowering effect of the commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing 0.5% timolol.

Methods

Pertinent publications were identified through systematic searches. Over 85% of the patients had to be diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Forty-one randomized clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The main efficacy measures were the absolute and relative values of mean diurnal IOP reduction, and the highest and lowest IOP reductions on the diurnal IOP curve. The pooled 1- to 3-month IOP-lowering effects after a medicine-free washout period was calculated by performing meta-analysis using the random effects model, and relative treatment effects among different fixed combinations were assessed using a mixed-effects meta-regression model.

Results

The relative reductions for mean diurnal IOP were 34.9% for travoprost/timolol, 34.3% for bimatoprost/timolol, 33.9% for latanoprost/timolol, 32.7% for brinzolamide/timolol, 29.9% for dorzolamide/timolol, and 28.1% for brimonidine/timolol. For the highest IOP decrease, relative reductions ranged from 31.3% for dorzolamide/timolol to 35.5% for travoprost/timolol; for the lowest IOP decrease, those varied from 25.9% for dorzolamide/timolol to 33.1% for bimatoprost/timolol. Both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol were more effective in lowering mean diurnal IOP than brimonidine/timolol (WMD: 5.9 and 7.0) and dorzolamide/timolol (WMD: 3.8 and 3.3).

Conclusions

All six commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing timolol can effectively lower IOP in patients with POAG and OHT, and both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol might achieve better IOP-lowering effects among the six fixed-combination agents.

Introduction

Glaucoma has been established as the second leading cause of world blindness, which may affect 60.5 million people worldwide in 2010, and 79.6 million in 2020, and approximately 74% of glaucoma patients have primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) [1]. The treatment of glaucoma focuses mainly on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) [2]. The target IOP is often set to a level 20% to 30% of IOP reduction, and consequent large IOP reduction beyond 30% or even 40% in cases of advanced glaucoma.

In the last two decades, several novel classes of topical IOP-lowering drugs have been available, and now there are more choices in the treatment of glaucoma. A recent meta-analysis of the IOP-lowering effect of glaucoma drugs showed a maximum mean IOP reduction of 33% from baseline IOP in the case of monotherapy [3]. However, many patients require more than one medication to achieve adequate IOP reduction [4], [5].

More recently, to maximize patient medication adherence and quality of life, several fixed combinations of commonly used IOP-lowering medications have been developed [6]. Current commercially available, fixed combination drugs mostly include the topical beta-blocker 0.5% timolol combined with a prostaglandin analogue (PGA), an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist (AA) or a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) [7]. More and more clinical trials are published to evaluate the efficacy of these fixed-combination options. However, the non-consistent results of these studies made it difficult to draw conclusions of the degree of reduction of IOP that can be achieved with different fixed-combination drugs. Therefore, to evaluate the IOP-lowering effect of the commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing timolol, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, involving all relevant published randomized clinical trials in the treatment of POAG and ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods

Outcome Measures

The outcome measures of efficacy were the absolute and relative IOP reductions from baseline. The standard time point of measurement was 1 month or the closest time point, with minimally 1 month and maximally 3 months. The mean diurnal IOP curve, the highest IOP decrease on the diurnal IOP curve, and the lowest IOP decrease on the diurnal IOP curve were noted [8].

Search Strategy and Trials Selection

Randomized clinical trials were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The keywords for the medication were timolol, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, brimonidine, latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost. The keywords for the disease were glaucoma, and ocular hypertension. The limit for the search was randomized controlled trial. The computerized searches covered the period between January 1, 1998, and September 1, 2011. Additional studies were also identified by a hand search of all the references of retrieved articles. The internet was searched using the GoogleTM and Yahoo!® search engines to obtain information.

Published clinical trials were selected based on the protocol-determined selection criteria. (i) Study design: randomized clinical trials, including parallel or crossover design. (ii) Population: over 85% of the patients had to be diagnosed with POAG or OHT. (iii) Intervention: after a medicine-free washout period, at least one of the following fixed-combination drugs, including 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol twice daily, 1% brinzolamide/0.5% timolol twice daily, 0.2% brimonidine/0.5% timolol twice daily, 0.005% latanoprost/0.5% timolol once daily, 0.004% travoprost/0.5% timolol once daily, and 0.03% bimatoprost/0.5% timolol once daily. (iv) Outcome variables: absolute and relative reductions from baseline in IOP. (v) Duration: at least one of time point between 1 month and 3 months.

Two reviewers (JWC, SWC) determined the trial eligibility independently. Firstly, the titles and abstracts of the obtained publications were screened. Then, full articles of the remaining identified publications were scrutinized. Only trials meeting selection criteria were assessed for methodological quality.

Data Extraction and Qualitative Assessment

Data extraction was performed according to the customized protocol by two reviewers (JWC, SWC) independently. Any disagreement was resolved by discussion. A customized form for data extraction was used as follows. (i) Publications: the first author and published year. (ii) Method: duration, randomization technique, allocation concealment method, group design (parallel, crossover), masking (participants, investigators, examiners), country, and setting. (iii) Participants: inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, sampling, disease types, age, sex, and withdrawals/losses to follow up (reason). (iv) Interventions: interventions (drugs, dose, route, duration), and co-medications (drugs, dose, route, duration). (v) Outcomes: definitions, measuring method, measuring time, time points, results. (vi) Statistics: simple size determination, intention-to-treat analysis, and per-protocol analysis.

Eligible studies that met inclusion criteria were rated for methodological quality by two authors independently, using a guide developed from the Delphi list for quality assessment of randomized clinical trials [3]. Each item in this quality list had the same weight. For each publication, a quality score was calculated, where “yes” was scored as 1 point for a certain quality item and “no” and “do not know” were scored as 0 point. The quality of sample studies scored out of a maximum of 18 ( Table 1 ).

Table 1. Quality items of the quality assessment system of methodological characteristics.* .

Item code Quality item No. of trials scored “Yes”
A Was a method of randomization used? 41
B Was the treatment allocation concealed? 22
C Were the participants blinded? 22
D Were the investigators blinded? 33
E Were the examiners blinded? 39
F Were inclusion criteria specified? 41
G Were exclusion criteria specified? 41
H Were the interventions described explicitly? 41
I Was comedication avoided or standardized? 41
J Were point estimates and measures of variability presented for the primary outcome measures? 41
K Was the period of outcome measurements equal for all groups? 41
L Were times of IOP measurements equal for all-groups? 41
M Was information about the method of IOP measurement presented? 41
N Were the groups similar at baseline regarding the most important prognostic indicators? 41
O Was it unlikely that compliance may explain differences between groups? 41
P Was withdrawal rate reported 39
Q Was calculation of sample size reported 33
R Was an intention-to-treat analysis performed? 27
Open in a new tab

IOP =  intraocular pressure.

*

The system was developed from the Delphi list, and was supplemented with additional items which were important for interpreting IOP measurements.

Statistical Analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2.0 (Biostat, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey) (http://www.meta-analysis.com). Outcome measure was assessed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. For each study, absolute and relative IOP reductions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the fixed-combination drugs were calculated. We first obtained the pooled estimates of IOP reductions with 95% CIs by fixed-combination medication using the random-effects model. Then, a mixed-effects meta-regression model was used to estimate the weighted mean differences (WMDs) in relative IOP reductions by different fixed combinations. Egger's weighted regression method was used to statistically assess publication bias.

Results

Eligiblity and Quality

The literature search identified 913 papers. Based on the content of the abstracts, 813 articles were found obviously ineligible for inclusion. From the remaining 100 articles that were retrieved for full papers, 59 had to be excluded for reasons outlined in Figure 1 . Finally, 41 eligible randomized clinical trials which met our inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review [9–49].

Figure 1. The selection flowchart of the studies included in the present meta-analysis.

Figure 1

Open in a new tab

This 41 articles reported on 53 arms with six fixed combinations after medicine-free washout: 22 arms for 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol, 2 arms for 1% brinzolamide/0.5% timolol, 5 arms for 0.2% brimonidine/0.5% timolol, 14 arms for 0.005% latanoprost/0.5% timolol, 8 arms for 0.004% travoprost/0.5% timolol, and 2 arms for 0.03% bimatoprost/0.5% timolol.

The mean total quality score for all studies was 16.2 with a range from 13 to 18 ( Table 2 ). Twelve studies were scored less than 16, and 29 trials were scored 16 and more. There were only seven items sometimes scored as 0 point ( Table 1 ), including allocation concealment, blinding, intention-to-treat analysis, withdrawals, and sample size.

Table 2. Baseline characteristics of eligible randomized clinical trials.

Trial Design Location Centre Intervention Total no. Withdrawals (%) Mean age (years) Sex (M/F) POAG or OHT (%) Baseline IOP* (mm Hg) [mean (SD) ] Quality score
Medication Route Duration
199810/01 [9] DB, PG U.S. 27 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8:30 AM, 8:30 PM 3 Months 114 0.3 62.4 54/60 100 27.8 (5.0) 18
200303/01 [10] DB, PG U.S. 8 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 3 Months 29 0.0 62.7 9/20 97 25.4 (3.7) 14
200304/01 [11] DB, CR Italy 1 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 1 Month 20 0.0 63.0 9/11 100 24.9 (0.9) 17
200307/01 [12] SB, CR Greece 2 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 6 Weeks 33 2.9 64.8 15/18 100 25.8 (1.4) 14
200402/01 [13] DB, PG U.S., Europe, Israel 44 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 10 PM 3 Months 273 8.8 62.8 125/148 99 - 18
200402/02 [14] SB, PG U.S. 30 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM 8 AM, 8 PM 3 Months 251 4.3 63.5 112/139 98 28.4 (3.7) 16
200405/01 [15] OL, PG Latin America 13 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 8 Weeks 117 6.0 61.1 47/70 92 25.0 (3.6) 15
200407/01 [16] SB, PG Europe 34 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 6 Months 163 6.0 65.5 73/90 96 27.4 (2.6) 17
200409/01 [17] SB, PG Spain 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 9 AM 3 Months 22 0.0 63.5 9/13 100 24.7 (2.5) 13
200410/01 [18] DB, CR U.S. 3 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 6 Weeks 35 8.6 64.5 12/23 97 26.9 (3.2) 16
200505/01 [19] DB, CR U.S. 3 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 8 Weeks 32 8.6 61.5 9/23 100 25.9 (2.4) 16
200507/01 [20] DB, PG U.S. 33 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 3 Months 82 3.9 63.0 37/45 100 30.2 (2.7) 18
200507/02 [21] SB, CR Greece 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 8 Weeks 37 0.0 65.8 14/23 100 26.5 (2.8) 17
200508/01 [22] DB, PG U.S. 27 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 3 Months 155 7.7 62.0 63/92 97 25.6 (2.7) 18
200510/01 [23] DB, PG U.S. 19 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 3 Months 151 7.5 64.2 57/94 97 25.3 (2.3) 18
200601/01 [24] DB, PG Europe, Canada 53 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 12 Weeks 255 11.0 65.0 129/126 91 26.0 (2.3) 18
200603/01 [25] DB, PG France Multi 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 9 AM 9 PM 6 Weeks 91 8.8 63.9 46/45 90 26.7 (3.3) 18
200603/02 [26] SB, PG Brazil 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 7 AM 1 Month 14 0.0 59.2 - 100 22.0 (3.2) 13
200609/01 [27] DB, PG U.S. 53 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 12 Months 385 25.7 62.0 181/204 100 24.7 (2.7) 18
200609/02 [28] SB, PG Brazil 1 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 9 AM, 9 PM 6 Weeks 27 0.0 57.5 8/19 100 23.1 (2.1) 14
200611/01 [29] SB, CR Greece 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 8 Weeks 34 2.9 62.4 13/21 100 27.2 (2.9) 15
200702/01 [30] SB, CR Turkey 1 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 6 Months 29 3.3 64.9 15/14 100 24.0 (2.2) 13
200704/01 [31] SB, CR Brazil 1 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 4 Weeks 30 0.0 56.1 12/18 100 22.9 (1.6) 16
200801/01 [32] SB, CR Greece 2 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 6 Months 53 8.6 61.2 21/32 100 27.1 (2.6) 15
200804/01 [33] DB, PG U.S., Canada 59 0.03% Bimatoprost/0.5% timolol 8 AM 3 Months 533 6.6 62.1 247/286 100 25.9 (3.1) 18
200808/01 [34] DB, CR U.S. 2 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 8 Weeks 29 3.3 68.0 11/18 100 25.1 (2.0) 16
200808/02 [35] DB, PG U.S. 19 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 8 Weeks 117 6.0 61.8 47/70 99 26.2 (3.4) 18
200810/01 [36] SB, CR Greece 1 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 6 Weeks 27 0.0 61.0 11/16 100 26.4 (1.6) 16
200810/02 [37] DB, PG U.S. 35 1.0% Brinzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 6 Months 171 7.5 - 80/91 95 27.2 (2.7) 16
200811/01 [38] SB, CR Greece 2 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 3 Months 28 12.5 63.6 18/10 100 26.9 (2.8) 16
200812/01 [39] OL, PG Brazil, Argentina 5 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 8 Weeks 210 7.6 60.4 87/123 100 24.0 (4.0) 14
200904/01 [40] DB, CR Greece 1 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 10 PM 8 Weeks 34 5.9 63.9 15/19 100 28.9 (3.3) 17
200904/02 [41] DB, PG U.S., Europe, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan Multi 1.0% Brinzolamide/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 12 Months 437 10.1 64.8 181/256 91 27.3 (6.9) 18
200905/01 [42] DB, CR Greece 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 8 Weeks 29 3.3 63.7 13/16 100 27.7 (1.9) 16
200907/01 [43] SB, PG U.S. 10 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 AM, 8 PM 3 Months 180 10.6 67.7 80/100 100 23.3 (4.6) 16
200910/01 [44] OL, PG Brazil 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 8 Weeks 18 0.0 57.8 8/10 100 24.7 (1.3) 14
200911/01 [45] DB, PG Europe, Turkey 31 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 9 AM 9 AM, 9 PM 6 Weeks 319 2.8 61.7 122/197 92 27.0 (3.4) 17
201002/01 [46] DB, PG U.S. Multi 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 12 Weeks 129 11.6 64.8 57/72 98 29.0 (3.0) 18
201007/01 [47] SB, PG Europe 25 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 PM 8 AM, 8 PM 12 Weeks 270 4.8 66.2 121/149 91 27.3 (3.7) 17
201007/02 [48] DB, PG U.S., Canada 45 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 PM 12 Weeks 170 11.8 65.3 76/94 96 28.7 (2.6) 18
201102/01 [49] SB, PG Spain 1 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 0.03% Bimatoprost/0.5% timolol 9 PM 12 Months 128 9.2 68.0 41/87 100 27.3 (4.0) 15
Open in a new tab

M =  male; F =  female; IOP =  intraocular pressure; SD =  standard deviation.

DB =  double blind; SB =  single blind; OL =  open label; PG =  parallel group; CR =  crossover.

*

Pooled values, measurements closest to 8 AM.

The P values of Egger's measure of publication bias were 0.25 for mean diurnal IOP reduction, 0.13 for the highest IOP reduction, and 0.51 for the lowest IOP reduction. Because no relevant differences were observed by statistics, no publication bias was found.

Design and Characteristics

The study design and baseline characteristics of the eligible studies are summarized in Table 2 . Randomized clinical trials were undertaken in Europe, U.S., Canada, Latin America, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Singapore, and Taiwan. Twenty-seven trials had a prospective, parallel design, and fourteen had a prospective, crossover design. The proportion of withdrawals varied from 0.0% to 25.7%.

Overall, 5261 patients were involved, with the mean age was 63.5 years (range from 56.1 to 68.0 years). The proportion of patients with POAG or OHT per study varied from 91% to 100%. The mean baseline IOP ranged from 22.0 mmHg to 30.2 mmHg after a medicine-free washout period.

Intraocular Pressure Lowering Effects

Forty-four arms were reporting the mean diurnal IOP reduction; 46 arms were reporting the highest IOP reduction; and 38 arms were reporting the lowest IOP reduction. Table 3 gives an overview of the absolute and relative values of mean diurnal IOP reduction, and the highest and lowest IOP decrease on the diurnal IOP curve.

The pooled absolute reductions in mean diurnal IOP curve were 7.41 mmHg (95% CI, 6.69 to 8.12) for dorzolamide/timolol, 8.33 mmHg (6.82 to 9.84) for brinzolamide/timolol, 6.55 mmHg (5.59 to 7.40) for brimonidine/timolol, 8.85 mmHg (8.30 to 9.40) for latanoprost/timolol, 9.09 mmHg (8.32 to 9.87) for travoprost/timolol, and 8.40 mmHg (8.13 to 8.67) for bimatoprost/timolol ( Table 4 ). The relative mean diurnal IOP reductions were 34.9% for travoprost/timolol, 34.3% for bimatoprost/timolol, 33.9% for latanoprost/timolol, 32.7% for brinzolamide/timolol, 29.9% for dorzolamide/timolol, and 28.1% for brimonidine/timolol. Both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol were found to produce greater IOP-lowering effects than dorzolamide/timolol and brimonidine/timolol ( Table 5 ).

Table 3. Absolute and relative reductions in IOP for mean diurnal curve, the highest and lowest IOP decrease per study arm.

Trial Medication End point of measurement (weeks) Type of measurement Time points (hours after dosing) Highest (SE) Lowest (SE) Diurnal (SE)
Absolute (mm Hg) Relative (%) Absolute (mm Hg) Relative (%) Absolute (mm Hg) Relative (%)
199810/01 [9] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (2) 0, 2 9.30 (0.41) 33.70 (1.23) 8.00 (0.42) 28.20 (1.22) 8.65 (0.42) 30.95 (1.23)
200303/01 [10] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 2 6.70 (0.82) 26.17 (3.22) - - - -
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 Single (1) 2 6.30 (0.54) 25.10 (2.16) - - - -
200304/01 [11] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (8) 0, 3, 6, 9 9.50 (0.18) 38.17 (0.74) 3.90 (0.25) 18.19 (1.18) 6.10 (0.49) 26.99 (2.17)
200307/01 [12] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (6) 2, 6, 10 - - - - 10.50 (0.31) 40.70 (1.20)
200402/01 [13] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 6, 8 - - - - 6.80 (0.36) -
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 6, 8 - - - - 7.49 (0.30) -
200402/02 [14] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 9.60 (0.39) 33.33 (1.37) 9.10 (0.32) 32.97 (1.17) 9.40 (0.28) 33.69 (0.99)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 8.90 (0.39) 32.36 (1.41) 8.10 (0.39) 29.03 (1.39) 8.40 (0.33) 30.55 (1.19)
200405/01 [15] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 6, 9 7.40 (0.32) 29.60 (1.29) 5.40 (0.39) 23.89 (1.72) 6.40 (0.30) 27.12 (1.25)
200407/01 [16] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 - - - - 9.11 (0.18) 34.51 (0.67)
200409/01 [17] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (3) 0, 3, 7 6.40 (0.59) 26.12 (2.40) 6.20(0.46) 25.41 (1.88) 6.29 (0.43) 25.59 (1.75)
200410/01 [18] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 8.30(0.68) 30.86 (2.51) 8.00 (0.65) 30.88 (2.53) 8.20(0.51) 31.54 (1.97)
200505/01 [19] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 7.30(0.64) 29.44 (2.58) 6.10 (0.57) 25.42 (2.36) 6.80(0.46) 27.31 (1.85)
200507/01 [20] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 11.30 (0.46) 37.42 (1.52) 9.20 (0.42) 33.82 (1.54) 10.43 (0.44) 36.38 (1.53)
200507/02 [21] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (6) 3, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 10.10 (0.39) 38.11 (1.47) 6.10 (0.41) 26.87 (1.81) 7.50 (0.28) 30.99 (1.16)
200508/01 [22] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 8.60 (0.22) 33.20 (0.86) 6.90 (0.26) 29.20 (1.13) 7.63 (0.24) 30.97 (0.99)
200510/01 [23] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 9.40 (0.22) 37.15 (0.85) 7.40 (0.21) 32.17 (0.92) 8.37 (0.22) 34.63 (0.88)
200601/01 [24] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 12 IOP Curve (3) 12, 16, 20 9.10 (0.20) 35.00 (0.77) 8.20 (0.20) 33.20 (0.81) 8.70 (0.20) 34.25 (0.79)
200603/01 [25] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 7 10.10 (0.68) 37.80 (2.74) 8.34 (0.63) 33.90 (2.36) 9.26 (0.68) 35.90 (2.63)
0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 12, 14, 19 9.60 (0.68) 36.10 (2.73) 8.70 (0.63) 34.40 (2.37) 9.20 (0.68) 35.20 (2.63)
200603/02 [26] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 3 - - 8.50 (0.94) 38.60 (2.33) - -
200609/01 [27] 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 7, 9 7.49 (0.17) 32.15 (0.73) 4.98 (0.20) 22.84 (0.92) 6.17 (0.19) 26.85 (0.83)
200609/02 [28] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (4) 3, 7, 11 6.20 (0.37) 26.84 (1.58) 2.90 (0.52) 15.59 (2.79) 4.50 (0.87) 21.7 (3.19)
200611/01 [29] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (6) 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 10.70 (0.45) 39.34 (1.66) 7.00 (0.49) 30.30 (2.11) 8.60 (0.34) 34.40 (1.36)
200702/01 [30] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 4 6.50 (0.38) 27.08 (1.60) - - - -
200704/01 [31] 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 8.20 (0.35) 34.70 (1.46) 7.50 (0.38) 33.90 (1.79) 7.80 (0.35) 34.30 (1.55)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 7.80 (0.33) 33.20 (1.43) 7.20 (0.37) 32.80 (1.66) 7.40 (0.33) 32.90 (1.57)
200801/01 [32] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (6) 2, 6, 10 9.50 (0.35) 35.06 (1.30) 5.40 (0.37) 23.18 (1.57) 7.20 (0.29) 28.57 (1.14)
200804/01 [33] 0.03% Bimatoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 9.60 (0.16) 37.07 (0.62) 7.70 (0.17) 33.05 (0.73) 8.40 (0.14) 34.29 (0.57)
200808/01 [34] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (7) 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 5.90 (0.56) 24.48 (2.31) 5.30 (0.56) 21.12 (2.23) 5.80 (0.48) 23.58 (1.95)
200808/02 [35] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (8) 0, 2, 6, 10, 12 6.60 (0.30) 25.68 (1.17) 3.20 (0.30) 14.68 (1.38) 5.10 (0.30) 20.86 (1.23)
200810/01 [36] 2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (12) 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 10.10 (0.35) 37.69 (1.32) 5.40 (0.35) 25.47 (1.66) 7.30 (0.49) 32.16 (2.16)
200810/02 [37] 1.0% Brinzolamide/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (5) 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 8.70 (0.29) 33.72 (1.12) 8.30 (0.30) 30.63 (1.11) 7.56 (0.33) 30.51 (1.33)
200811/01 [38] 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (6) 2, 6, 10 6.90 (0.43) 25.65 (1.62) 4.50 (0.36) 19.65 (1.57) 5.30 (0.23) 21.54 (0.92)
200812/01 [39] 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 6, 8 7.89 (0.40) 32.93 (1.67) 6.56 (0.37) 28.52 (1.62) 7.02 (0.29) 29.96 (1.24)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (4) 0, 2, 6, 8 7.47 (0.44) 30.96 (1.82) 6.56 (0.43) 28.64 (1.85) 6.91 (0.37) 29.49 (1.58)
200904/01 [40] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (6) 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 11.30 (0.48) 39.10 (1.66) 7.30 (0.48) 30.04 (1.98) 9.40 (0.38) 35.34 (1.43)
200904/02 [41] 1.0% Brinzolamide/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 9.10 (0.35) 34.90 (1.35) 9.10 (0.36) 33.30 (1.32) 9.00 (0.35) 34.62 (1.35)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 13 IOP Curve (3) 0, 2, 8 8.80 (0.35) 33.50 (1.34) 8.70 (0.36) 31.60 (1.32) 8.75 (0.35) 33.56 (1.34)
200905/01 [42] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (6) 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 10.20 (0.51) 35.05 (1.76) 7.40 (0.56) 29.84 (2.26) 9.00 (0.47) 34.22 (1.80)
200907/01 [43] 0.2% Brimonidine/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 2 7.30 (0.56) 31.74 (2.43) - - - -
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 2 7.40 (0.63) 31.36 (2.67) - - - -
200910/01 [44] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 8 IOP Curve (3) 12, 14, 16 10.38 (1.00) 42.09 (4.06) 8.72 (1.18) 38.76 (5.24) 9.35 (1.04) 40.34 (4.49)
200911/01 [45] 0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (2) 0, 7 10.40 (0.25) 38.66 (0.93) 8.90 (0.25) 35.46 (1.00) 9.65 (0.25) 37.06 (0.97)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (2) 0, 7 9.30 (0.25) 34.44 (0.93) 8.50 (0.23) 33.86 (0.92) 8.90 (0.24) 34.15 (0.93)
201002/01 [46] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 12, 14, 20 - - - - 10.10 (0.26) 36.07 (0.92)
201007/01 [47] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 12 IOP Curve (3) 12, 16, 20 9.80 (0.20) 36.57 (0.75) 9.60 (0.20) 36.50 (0.76) 9.70 (0.20) 36.47 (0.75)
2.0% Dorzolamide/0.5% timolol 12 IOP Curve (3) 0, 4, 8 9.70 (0.30) 35.27 (1.09) 9.40 (0.30) 35.21 (1.12) 9.50 (0.20) 34.80 (0.73)
201007/02 [48] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 6 IOP Curve (3) 12, 14, 20 - - - - 10.00 (0.21) 35.59 (0.75)
201102/01 [49] 0.005% Latanoprost/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 12 7.73 (0.70) 28.01 (2.55) - - - -
0.004% Travoprost/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 12 6.56 (0.48) 24.85 (1.81) - - - -
0.03% Bimatoprost/0.5% timolol 4 Single (1) 12 8.88 (0.58) 31.71 (2.09) - - - -
Open in a new tab

IOP =  intraocular pressure; SE =  standard error.

Table 4. Absolute and relative reductions in intraocular pressure.

Time point Absolute reduction (mm Hg) Relative reduction (%) No. of studies
Group Mean 95% confidence interval Mean 95% confidence interval
Dorzolamide/timolol Diurnal 7.41 6.69 to 8.12 29.9 27.4 to 32.4 18
Highest 8.03 7.36 to 8.71 31.3 29.3 to 33.3 19
Lowest 6.31 5.15 to 7.46 25.9 22.4 to 29.4 15
Brinzolamide/timolol Diurnal 8.33 6.82 to 9.84 32.7 28.3 to 37.1 2
Highest 8.86 8.43 to 9.30 34.2 32.5 to 35.9 2
Lowest 8.68 7.89 to 9.46 31.9 29.3 to 34.5 2
Brimonidine/timolol Diurnal 6.55 5.59 to 7.40 28.1 23.2 to 32.9 4
Highest 7.59 7.19 to 7.99 31.5 28.7 to 34.3 5
Lowest 5.87 4.58 to 7.16 26.1 20.6 to 31.6 4
Latanoprost/timolol Diurnal 8.85 8.30 to 9.40 33.9 32.5 to 35.2 12
Highest 9.29 8.67 to 9.91 34.5 32.5 to 36.6 10
Lowest 7.86 7.02 to 8.70 32.0 29.6 to 34.5 9
Travoprost/timolol Diurnal 9.09 8.32 to 9.87 34.9 33.0 to 36.8 7
Highest 9.49 8.66 to 10.32 35.5 32.8 to 38.3 8
Lowest 7.99 7.34 to 8.65 32.6 30.5 to 34.6 7
Bimatoprost/timolol Diurnal 8.40 8.13 to 8.67 34.3 33.2 to 35.4 1
Highest 9.46 8.89 to 10.02 34.8 29.6 to 40.0 2
Lowest 7.70 7.36 to 8.03 33.1 31.6 to 34.5 1
Open in a new tab

Table 5. Weighted mean difference in relative intraocular pressure reductions.* .

Time Point Treatment comparison Weighted mean difference (%) P value
A B Mean 95% confidence interval
Diurnal Latanoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 3.8 0.8 to 6.7 0.011
Latanoprost/timolol Brimonidine/timolol 5.9 2.5 to 9.4 0.001
Travoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 3.3 2.2 to 4.5 0.000
Travoprost/timolol Brimonidine/timolol 7.0 2.5 to 11.6 0.003
Highest Travoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 4.2 0.6 to 7.8 0.021
Bimatoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 3.6 2.3 to 5.0 0.000
Lowest Latanoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 6.2 1.4 to 10.9 0.011
Latanoprost/timolol Brimonidine/timolol 6.0 0.9 to 11.1 0.021
Travoprost/timolol Dorzolamide/timolol 6.7 1.5 to 12.0 0.012
Travoprost/timolol Brimonidine/timolol 6.6 1.9 to 11.4 0.006
Open in a new tab
*

For comparisons of treatment A versus treatment B, statistically significant results are shown, and a weighted mean difference above 0 indicates that relative IOP reduction is greater for treatment A than for treatment B.

The absolute values of the highest IOP reductions varied from 7.59 mmHg for brimonidine/timolol to 9.49 mmHg for travoprost/timolol, and the relative reductions ranged from 31.3% for dorzolamide/timolol to 35.5% for travoprost/timolol ( Table 4 ). Travoprost/timolol and bimatoprost/timolol produced greater relative reductions than dorzolamide/timolol, with WMDs being 4.2 (0.6 to 7.8), 3.6 (2.3 to 5.0) respectively (Table 5).

The pooled results of absolute and relative values of the lowest IOP reductions of six fixed combinations are also shown in Table 4 . Travoprost/timolol was significantly more effective in lowering IOP than dorzolamide/timolol (WMD: 6.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 12.0), and brimonidine/timolol (WMD: 6.6; 95% CI, 1.9 to 11.4); and latanoprost/timolol also was significantly more effective than dorzolamide/timolol (WMD: 6.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 10.9) and brimonidine/timolol (WMD: 6.0; 95% CI, 0.9 to 11.1) ( Table 5 ).

Discussion

This systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 40 randomized clinical trials reveal that all six commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing 0.5% timolol can effectively lower IOP in patients with POAG and OHT. After completely washing out all medication, the mean diurnal IOP reductions ranged from 6.55 mmHg for brimonidine/timolol to 9.09 mmHg for travoprost/timolol; the highest IOP reductions varied from 7.59 mmHg for brimonidine/timolol to 9.49 mmHg for travoprost/timolol; and the lowest IOP reductions ranged from 5.87 mmHg for brimonidine/timolol to 7.99 mmHg for travoprost/timolol.

The overview of relative IOP reductions at diurnal curve showed that travoprost/timolol, bimatoprost/timolol, and latanoprost/timolol were the three most effective fixed-combinations. The mixed-effects meta-regression results revealed that latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol were more effective than dorzolamide/timolol and brimonidine/timolol. However, the difference for bimatoprost/timolol was not statistically significant, which might be a “negative” result because that the data is based on only one single trial [50]. For the highest IOP reduction, travoprost/timolol and bimatoprost/timolol were more effective than dorzolamide/timolol. Latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol were also more effective than dorzolamide/timolol and brimonidine/timolol in the lowest IOP reduction. Therefore, both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol might achieve better IOP-lowering effects among the six fixed-combination agents.

The overview of relative results of mean diurnal IOP reduction, the highest and lowest IOP reduction found that brinzolamide/timolol achieved an IOP-lowering effect of more than 30%. However, the mixed-effects meta-regression results suggested that there was no significant difference in lowering IOP when comparing brinzolamide/timolol with dorzolamide/timolol and brimonidine/timolol. The pooled data of brinzolamide/timolol are based on only two papers. One trial found that 1% brinzolamide/0.5% timolol was superior in IOP-lowering efficacy to either brinzolamide 1% or timolol 0.5% [37]. The other trial suggested that the IOP-lowering efficacy of brinzolamide/timolol was noninferior to dorzolamide/timolol [41]. Owing to the “small-study effects” with the presence of substantial between-study heterogeneity, it might not be the truly IOP-lowering effect of brinzolamide/timolol.

A previous meta-analysis including 28 randomized clinical trials evaluated the IOP lowering effects of all commonly used mono-therapies in patients with POAG and OHT, and revealed that the relative peak IOP reductions were 33% for bimatoprost, 31% for latanoprost, 31% for travoprost, 27% for timolol, 25% for brimonidine, 22% for dorzolamide, and 17% for brinzolamide [3]. The present meta-analysis found that when using as fixed combinations with timolol, dorzolamide/timolol, brinzolamide/timolol and brimonidine/timolol can result an IOP-lowering effect of more than 30%. However, the relative IOP reductions of the fixed combinations of 0.5% timolol and PGAs were only 34.8% for latanoprost/timolol, 33.0% for travoprost/timolol, and 32.9% for bimatoprost/timolol. One explanation is that with any fixed combination of 0.5% timolol and a PGA, a timolol dose will be omitted, leading to a lower IOP reduction [8], [51]. Because timolol has the peak effect approximately 2 hours after dosing, and prostaglandins provide maximal IOP reduction during the last half of the dosing interval (ie, post instillation hours 12 through 24) [52], the peak effect of prostaglandin-timolol fixed combinations might be provided by prostaglandins mostly, but not the combination of prostaglandins and timolol. Another explanation is that the terminology concerning diurnal is not consistent in the studies reporting a mean of several IOP measurements during a (part of a) day, and only a limited number of measurements during only a part of a 24-hour period are achieved [8]. Nineteen arms from 18 trials reported a mean diurnal IOP curve of the fixed combination of timolol and a PGA. In 10 arms, all measurements were obtained within 8 hours after dosing, with three moments in 9 trials and two moments in the other one. In 6 arms, measurements were obtained in three moments up to 12 to 24 hours after installation. Full 24-hours IOP measurements were obtained in only 4 trials. If one includes only IOP measurements within a period of 8 hours or fewer after the administration of a combination of timolol and a PGA, the absence of peak efficacy moments of the PGA will lead to an underestimation of IOP-lowering effect [8].

Although we tried to conduct a thorough review of the existing literature, this present analysis has limitations inherent to any systematic review. First, a limitation of this meta-analysis is that only published studies were included. Although multiple databases and websites were searched, unfortunately, it is possible that we may have failed to include some papers, especially those published in other languages. A specific limitation of this analysis is that many trials lacked adequate allocation concealment, blinding, sample size assessment, and intention-to-treat analysis, which may leave them vulnerable to bias and misestimation of the beneficial effects of IOP-lowering agents. Finally, the pooled data of bimatoprost/timolol and brinzolamide/timolol are based on only two papers. Therefore, more research is still needed on the available guidance derived from the currently literature.

Lowering IOP is beneficial in both POAG and OHT. Depending on the glaucomatous damage and the presence of other risk factors, the target IOP often has to be chosen such that IOP lowering beyond 30% or even 40% is necessary. However, the maximum mean IOP reduction from baseline IOP was 33% in the case of monotherapy [3]. Therefore, the fixed-combination medications are needed to reach these low target IOP levels, which not only provide better IOP-lowering effects, but also improve compliance and eliminate the washout effect.

In conclusion, the results of this systematic review suggest that all six commonly used fixed-combination drugs containing timolol can effectively lower IOP in patients with POAG and OHT, and both latanoprost/timolol and travoprost/timolol might achieve better IOP-lowering effects among the six fixed-combination agents.

Funding Statement

This work was supported by the Shanghai Rising-Star Program, Shanghai Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 10ZR1439300) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81000374 and 81170874). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

References

  • 1. Quigley HA, Broman AT (2006) The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol 90: 262–267. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2. The AGIS Investigators (2000) The Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS): 7. The relationship between control of intraocular pressure and visual field deterioration. Am J Ophthalmol 130: 429–40. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3. van der Valk R, Webers CA, Schouten JS, Zeegers MP, Hendrikse F, et al. (2005) Intraocular pressure-lowering effects of all commonly used glaucoma drugs: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Ophthalmology 112: 1177–85. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4. Lichter PR, Musch DC, Gillespie BW (2001) CIGTS Study Group (2001) Interim clinical outcomes in the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study comparing initial treatment randomized to medications or surgery. Ophthalmology 108: 1943–53. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5. Kass MA, Heuer DK, Higginbotham EJ, Johnson CA, Keltner JL, et al. (2002) The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study: a randomized trial determines that topical ocular hypotensive medication delays or prevents the onset of primary open-angle glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol 120: 701–13. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6. Fechtner RD, Realini T (2004) Fixed combinations of topical glaucoma medications. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 15: 132–5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7. Khouri AS, Realini T, Fechtner RD (2007) Use of fixed-dose combination drugs for the treatment of glaucoma. Drugs Aging 24: 1007–16. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8. Webers CA, Beckers HJ, Zeegers MP, Nuijts RM, Hendrikse F, et al. (2010) The intraocular pressure-lowering effect of prostaglandin analogs combined with topical ß-blocker therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology 117: 2067–74.e1–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8. Boyle JE, Ghosh K, Gieser DK, Adamsons IA (1998) A randomized trial comparing the dorzolamide-timolol combination given twice daily to monotherapy with timolol and dorzolamide. Ophthalmology 105: 1945–51. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10. Zabriskie N, Netland PA; Brimonidine with Latanoprost Study Groups 1 and 2 (2003) Comparison of brimonidine/latanoprost and timolol/dorzolamide: two randomized, double-masked, parallel clinical trials. Adv Ther 20: 92–100. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11. Orzalesi N, Rossetti L, Bottoli A, Fumagalli E, Fogagnolo P (2003) The effect of latanoprost, brimonidine, and a fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide on circadian intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Arch Ophthalmol 121: 453–7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12. Konstas AG, Papapanos P, Tersis I, Houliara D, Stewart WC (2003) Twenty-four-hour diurnal curve comparison of commercially available latanoprost 0.005% versus the timolol and dorzolamide fixed combination. Ophthalmology 110: 1357–60. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13. Fechtner RD, Airaksinen PJ, Getson AJ (2004) COSOPT versus XALATAN Study Groups (2004) Efficacy and tolerability of the dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% combination (COSOPT) versus 0.005% (XALATAN) in the treatment of ocular hypertension or glaucoma: results from two randomized clinical trials. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 82: 42–8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14. Shin DH, Feldman RM, Sheu WP (2004) Fixed Combination Latanoprost/Timolol Study Group (2004) Efficacy and safety of the fixed combinations latanoprost/timolol versus dorzolamide/timolol in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. Ophthalmology 111: 276–82. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15. Susanna R Jr, Sheu WP (2004) Latin American Glaucoma Society (2004) Comparison of latanoprost with fixed-combination dorzolamide and timolol in adult patients with elevated intraocular pressure: an eight-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study in Latin America. Clin Ther 26: 755–68. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16. García-Sánchez J, Rouland JF, Spiegel D, Pajic B, Cunliffe I, et al. (2004) A comparison of the fixed combination of latanoprost and timolol with the unfixed combination of brimonidine and timolol in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. A six month, evaluator masked, multicentre study in Europe. Br J Ophthalmol 88: 877–83. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17. Martinez-de-la-Casa JM, Castillo A, Garcia-Feijoo J, Mendez-Hernandez C, Fernandez-Vidal A, et al. (2004) Concomitant administration of travoprost and brinzolamide versus fixed latanoprost/timolol combined therapy: three-month comparison of efficacy and safety. Curr Med Res Opin 20: 1333–9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18. Stewart WC, Stewart JA, Day DG, Sharpe ED, Jenkins JN (2004) Efficacy and safety of the latanoprost/timolol maleate fixed combination vs concomitant brimonidine and latanoprost therapy. Eye. 2004 18: 990–5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19. Day DG, Sharpe ED, Beischel CJ, Jenkins JN, Stewart JA, et al. (2005) Safety and efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% versus timolol maleate 0.5%/dorzolamide 2% fixed combination. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2005 15: 336–42. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20. Barnebey HS, Orengo-Nania S, Flowers BE, Samples J, Mallick S, et al. (2005) The safety and efficacy of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination ophthalmic solution. Am J Ophthalmol 140: 1–7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21. Konstas AG, Boboridis K, Tzetzi D, Kallinderis K, Jenkins JN, et al. (2005) Twenty-four-hour control with latanoprost-timolol-fixed combination therapy vs latanoprost therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 123: 898–902. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22. Schuman JS, Katz GJ, Lewis RA, Henry JC, Mallick S, et al. (2005) Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution once daily for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Am J Ophthalmol 140: 242–50. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23. Hughes BA, Bacharach J, Craven ER, Kaback MB, Mallick S, et al. (2005) A three-month, multicenter, double-masked study of the safety and efficacy of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution compared to travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution and timolol 0.5% dosed concomitantly in subjects with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. J Glaucoma 14: 392–9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24. Diestelhorst M, Larsson LI (2006) European-Canadian Latanoprost Fixed Combination Study Group (2006) A 12-week, randomized, double-masked, multicenter study of the fixed combination of latanoprost and timolol in the evening versus the individual components. Ophthalmology 113: 70–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24. Denis P, Andrew R, Wells D, Friren B (2006) A comparison of morning and evening instillation of a combination travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Eur J Ophthalmol 16: 407–15. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26. Magacho L, Reis R, Shetty RK, Santos LC, Avila MP (2006) Efficacy of latanoprost or fixed-combination latanoprost-timolol in patients switched from a combination of timolol and a nonprostaglandin medication. Ophthalmology 113: 442–5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27. Sherwood MB, Craven ER, Chou C, DuBiner HB, Batoosingh AL, et al. (2006) Twice-daily 0.2% brimonidine-0.5% timolol fixed-combination therapy vs monotherapy with timolol or brimonidine in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a 12-month randomized trial. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 1230–8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28. Suzuki ER Jr, Franklin LM, da Silva LJ, Figueiredo CR, Netto JA, et al. (2006) Comparison of the efficacy and safety of travoprost with a fixed-combination of dorzolamide and timolol in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Curr Med Res Opin 22: 1799–805. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29. Konstas AG, Lake S, Economou AI, Kaltsos K, Jenkins JN, et al. (2006) 24-Hour control with a latanoprost-timolol fixed combination vs timolol alone. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 1553–7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30. Ozturk F, Ermis SS, Inan UU (2007) Comparison of the ocular hypotensive effects of bimatoprost and timolol-dorzolamide combination in patients with elevated intraocular pressure: a 6-month study. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 85: 80–3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31. Arcieri ES, Arcieri RS, Pereira AC, Andreo EG, Finotti IG, et al. (2007) Comparing the fixed combination brimonidine-timolol versus fixed combination dorzolamide-timolol in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. Curr Med Res Opin 23: 683–9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32. Konstas AG, Kozobolis VP, Tsironi S, Makridaki I, Efremova R, et al. (2008) Comparison of the 24-hour intraocular pressure-lowering effects of latanoprost and dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination after 2 and 6 months of treatment. Ophthalmology 115: 99–103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33. Brandt JD, Cantor LB, Katz LJ (2008) Ganfort Investigators Group II (2008) Bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination: a 3-month double-masked, randomized parallel comparison to its individual components in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. J Glaucoma 17: 211–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34. Sharpe ED, Williams RD, Stewart JA, Nelson LA, Stewart WC (2008) A comparison of dorzolamide/timolol-fixed combination versus bimatoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma who are poorly controlled on latanoprost. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 24: 408–13. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33. Feldman RM, Stewart RH, Stewart WC, Jia G, Smugar SS, et al. (2008) 24-hour control of intraocular pressure with 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution in open-angle glaucoma. Curr Med Res Opin 24: 2403–12. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36. Quaranta L, Miglior S, Floriani I, Pizzolante T, Konstas AG (2008) Effects of the timolol-dorzolamide fixed combination and latanoprost on circadian diastolic ocular perfusion pressure in glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49: 4226–31. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Kaback M, Scoper SV, Arzeno G, Brinzolamide 1%/Timolol 0.5% Study Group (2008) Intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy of brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination compared with brinzolamide 1% and timolol 0.5%. Ophthalmology 115:1728-34, 1734.e1–2. [DOI] [PubMed]
  • 38. Konstas AG, Katsimpris IE, Kaltsos K, Georgiadou I, Kordelou A, et al. (2008) Twenty-four-hour efficacy of the brimonidine/timolol fixed combination versus therapy with the unfixed components. Eye 22: 1391–7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39. Hatanaka M, Grigera DE, Barbosa WL, Jordao M, Susanna R Jr (2008) An eight-week, multicentric, randomized, interventional, open-label, phase 4, parallel comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination of timolol maleate 0.5%/brimonidine tartrate 0.2% versus fixed combination of timolol maleate 0.5%/dorzolamide 2% in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. J Glaucoma 17: 674–9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40. Konstas AG, Mikropoulos D, Haidich AB, Ntampos KS, Stewart WC (2009) Twenty-four-hour intraocular pressure control with the travoprost/timolol maleate fixed combination compared with travoprost when both are dosed in the evening in primary open-angle glaucoma. Br J Ophthalmol 93: 481–5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41. Manni G, Denis P, Chew P, Sharpe ED, Orengo-Nania S, et al. (2009) The safety and efficacy of brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination versus dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. J Glaucoma 18: 293–300. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42. Konstas AG, Pikilidou MI, Tsironi S, Mikropoulos D, Kozobolis VP, et al. (2009) 24-hour intraocular pressure and blood pressure levels with latanoprost/timolol fixed combination versus timolol. Curr Eye Res 34: 369–77. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43. Nixon DR, Yan DB, Chartrand JP, Piemontesi RL, Simonyi S, et al. (2009) Three-month, randomized, parallel-group comparison of brimonidine-timolol versus dorzolamide-timolol fixed-combination therapy. Curr Med Res Opin 25: 1645–53. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44. Facio AC, Reis AS, Vidal KS, de Moraes CG, Suzuki R, et al. (2009) A comparison of bimatoprost 0.03% versus the fixed-combination of latanoprost 0.005% and timolol 0.5% in adult patients with elevated intraocular pressure: an eight-week, randomized, open-label trial. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 25: 447–51. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45. Teus MA, Miglior S, Laganovska G, Volksone L, Romanowska-Dixon B, et al. (2009) Efficacy and safety of travoprost/timolol vs dorzolamide/timolol in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Clin Ophthalmol 3: 629–36. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46. Higginbotham EJ, Olander KW, Kim EE (2010) United States Fixed-Combination Study Group (2010) Fixed combination of latanoprost and timolol vs individual components for primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a randomized, double-masked study. Arch Ophthalmol 128: 165–72. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47. Miglior S, Grunden JW, Kwok K (2010) Xalacom/Cosopt European Study Group (2010) Efficacy and safety of fixed combinations of latanoprost/timolol and dorzolamide/timolol in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Eye 24: 1234–42. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48. Palmberg P, Kim EE, Kwok KK (2010) Canada and United States Fixed Combination Latanoprost/Timolol Study Group (2010) A 12-week, randomized, double-masked study of fixed combination latanoprost/timolol versus latanoprost or timolol monotherapy. Eur J Ophthalmol 20: 708–18. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 49. Rigollet JP, Ondategui JA, Pasto A, Lop L (2011) Randomized trial comparing three fixed combinations of prostaglandins/prostamide with timolol maleate. Clin Ophthalmol 5: 187–91. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 50. Glasziou PP, Shepperd S, Brassey J (2010) Can we rely on the best trial? A comparison of individual trials and systematic reviews. BMC Med Res Methodol 10: 23. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 51. Webers CA, van der Valk R, Schouten JS, Zeegers MP, Prins MH, et al. (2007) Intraocular pressure-lowering effect of adding dorzolamide or latanoprost to timolol: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Ophthalmology 114: 40–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 52. Dubiner HB, Sircy MD, Landry T, Bergamini MV, Silver LH, et al. (2004) Comparison of the diurnal ocular hypotensive efficacy of travoprost and latanoprost over a 44-hour period in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. Clin Ther 26: 84–91. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from PLoS ONE are provided here courtesy of PLOS

RESOURCES