Purpose: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, cross-over study was to investigate and compare the microcirculatory effects of timolol, dorzolamide and latanoprost in newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Haemodynamics were assessed using fluorescein angiography by means of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Visual function and visual field indices were evaluated during all drug treatment phases.
Methods: Fourteen patients with newly diagnosed POAG (age 55 +/- 7 years; 10 male, four female) were recruited for the study. At baseline examination, blood pressure, heart rate, intraocular pressure (IOP), SLO angiograms, and contrast sensitivity (CS) were analysed. Patients then randomly received timolol, dorzolamide or latanoprost treatment for 4 weeks. Patients then returned and all procedures were repeated and assessed. Arteriovenous passage times (AVPs), peripapillary arterial and venous diameters were assessed from SLO angiograms, using digital image processing. Calculated ocular perfusion pressure was determined for each treatment phase.
Results: Intraocular pressure was significantly lowered by each drug compared to baseline (p < 0.0001). Arteriovenous passage times were significantly shortened after dorzolamide application compared to baseline (p = 0.009), whereas neither timolol nor latanoprost treatment resulted in significant AVP changes. Peripapillary arterial and venous diameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and ocular perfusion pressures were not significantly altered during any treatment phase. Contrast sensitivity testing at 6 cycles/degree (c.p.d.) revealed a significant rise after dorzolamide compared to timolol (p = 0.007).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that dorzolamide treatment significantly shortened AVP times in newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma patients, whereas timolol and latanoprost had no significant effect. Given that prolonged AVP times have been associated with disease progression in glaucoma; dorzolamide treatment may benefit optic nervehead preservation by increasing ocular perfusion.