Table 3.
Studies included in the meta-analysis on ocular hypertension (reported data only)
| Study | Study design | Outcome | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epstein et al 19896 | Randomised controlled trial, timolol (0.5% twice daily) v no treatment in 107 patients with ocular hypertension Duration: 56 months End points: visual field defects, intraocular pressure >32 mm Hg, glaucomatous disc | Intention to treat analysis: 9 of 53 patients v 17 of 54 controls reached end point (P=0.07, log rank test); 6 v 10 failures owing to visual field defects or glaucomatous disc (P=0.24, log rank test) | Tendency of beneficial effect. Dropout rate >20% |
| Schulzer et al 19917 | Randomised controlled trial, timolol (0.25-0.5% twice daily) v no treatment in 143 patients with ocular hypertension Duration: 6 years End points: visual field defects or glaucomatous disc, disc haemorrhage | Intention to treat analysis: 20 of 67 patients v 22 of 70 controls reached end point (difference not significant) | No protective treatment effect observed with pressure reduction. Dropout rate >20% |
| Heijl et al 20008 | Double blind, randomised controlled trial, timolol (0.5% twice daily) v no treatment in 90 patients with ocular hypertension plus risk factors Duration: 1) years (post-study analysis after 17 years) End point: visual field defects or glaucomatous disc | Intention to treat analysis: 7 of 46 patients v 15 of 44 controls reached end point after 10 years (P=0.07, log rank test) | Tendency of beneficial effect. In the treatment group, intraocular pressure was higher in patients who reached the end point. Dropout rate >20% |
| Kass et al 20029 | Randomised controlled trial, various medications (titrated to lower intraocular pressure 20% or <24 mm Hg) v observation in ocular hypertension Duration: 5 years End points: visual field defects or glaucomatous disc | Intention to treat analysis: 36 of 817 treated v 89 of 819 control patients reached end point reached end point (hazard ratio 0.40, 95% Cl 0.27 to 0.59, P<0.0001) | Protective or preventive treatment effect of topical or medical reduction of intraocular pressure. 3328 patients screened, 1636 patients included. Dropout rate about 14% |
| Kamal et al 200310 | Randomised controlled trial, betaxolol twice daily v placebo in 356 patients with ocular hypertension Duration: 6 years End point: visual field defects | Intention to treat analysis: 15 of 182 treated v 18 of 174 control patients reached end point (P=0.25) | No significant preventive effect of topical reduction of intraocular pressure. Dropout rate 28% |