Comparison of latanoprost monotherapy with timolol-dorzolamide combination in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of latanoprost monotherapy to dorzolamide combined with timolol from pooled data of five multicenter, randomized, 3-month, observer-masked trials with identical study design. METHODS: Patients who were on a beta-blocker or dual therapy where one agent was a beta-blocker were eligible after a 2- to 4-week run-in period on timolol 0.5%, twice daily. Patients then either discontinued timolol treatment and received latanoprost monotherapy n=345) or continued on timolol and received dorzolamide add-on therapy (n=352). Data from these 697 patients were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: From an overall baseline of 22.8mmHg, the mean IOP reduction was 4.8mmHg (21%) in latanoprost-treated patients and 4.1mmHg (18%) in timolol + dorzolamide-treated patients p<0.001). A reduction in diurnal IOP of >=20% was achieved in 54% of the latanoprost-treated patients compared with 44% of the timolol + dorzolamide-treated patients. There was no marked difference between the two groups in the incidence of ocular and systemic events. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides further support that a switch to latanoprost monotherapy can be an alternative to combined treatment with timolol + dorzolamide.