Efficacy and safety of preservative-free anti-glaucomatous eye drops (dorzolamide/timolol) in ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma.

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a single-dose, preservative-free (PF) Dorzolamide/Timolol combination (Twinzol-SDU).

Methods: A 3-month single-arm, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in Egypt between January 2021 and October 2022 on previously diagnosed and controlled patients with ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. Efficacy was assessed using the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) after 6 and 12 weeks. Safety was identified through the change in the incidence of ocular side effects, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and grades, and Time Break-Up time (TBUT).

Results: A total of 382 patients were enrolled in the analysis. After the three-month period of therapy, a significant reduction in IOP was seen (mean change: -1.9, P < 0.001) after switching to PF Dorzolamide/Timolol combination. The rate of ocular abrasion decreased significantly from 30.6% to 1.3% (P < 0.001). The rate of normal aqueous tear production increased from 24.1% to reach 79.4% (P < 0.001). The OSDI scores decreased significantly throughout the study period, with a median score decreased from 41.7 (21.7) to 12.5 (12.5) (P < 0.001). Mild OSDI grades significantly increased from the baseline of 12.6% to reach 24.7%. Moderate OSDI grade decreased at the same rate, from 12.8% to 11.1%. The number of patients with severe OSDI grade substantially decreased from 64.4% to 4.5%, with a P < 0.001. TBUT increased from 9 (3.7) seconds to reach and 12.3 (4) seconds after 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Generally, the PF dorzolamide/timolol combination was associated with a significant reduction in IOP and tolerability among glaucoma patients.