From dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination: a 6-month,multicenter, open-label tolerability switch study

Purpose: To assess ocular surface status and tolerability after switching glaucoma patients from dorzolamide/timolol to brinzolamide/timolol fixed combination (FC).

Methods: Six-month, multicenter, open-label, prospective study that switched 72 patients from dorzolamide/timolol to brinzolamide/timolol FC. Intraocular pressure (IOP), tear film break-up-time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining and Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire were recorded at baseline and after 6 months.

Results: Median interquartile range (IQR) IOP was 16 (IQR 15 – 18) mmHg at baseline and 16 (15 – 17) mmHg and 6 months. TF-BUT significantly improved (p < 0.0001); the regression analysis found a negative association between TF-BUT changes and age at baseline and at month 6 (r = ?0.32; p = 0.0082 and r = ?0.31; p = 0.0085). Patients with no corneal fluorescein staining statistically increased after substitution (p = 0.04). Quality of life – as examined by the GSS symptoms (SYMP) score – statistically improved (p < 0.0001), revealing an association between GSS SYMP score and age coefficient ?0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) ?1.13 to ?0.21, p = 0.0005), superficial keratitis (coefficient ?8.26, 95% CI ?15.73 to ?0.80, p = 0.031) and TF-BUT (coefficient 4.94, 95% CI 1.71 to 8.17, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Brinzolamide/timolol FC is associated with reduced topical discomfort and improved signs of ocular surface disease. The good tolerability and comfort of this FC might contribute to good patient adherence.