Intraocular Pressure-reducing Effects of Latanoprost Versus Timolol in Chinese Patients With Chronic Angle-closure Glaucoma

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of latanoprost and timolol in Chinese patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG), who had undergone laser or surgical peripheral iridotomy but who continued to experience elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. Patients and Methods: This 8-week, randomized, open-label, parallel, active-controlled study was conducted at 4 sites in China. Subjects were 18 to 75 years of age; had primary, unilateral, or bilateral CACG with an IOP between 21 and 35 mm Hg inclusive at screening; and had undergone peripheral iridotomy at least 1 month before study entry. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive 1 drop of latanoprost 0.005% (pm) or 1 drop of timolol 0.5% twice daily (am and pm). Follow-up was at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8. Primary efficacy endpoint: change in average IOP from baseline to week 8. Results: One hundred forty-two subjects were randomized into the latanoprost and timolol group; the analysis population included 141 subjects (latanoprost, n=71; timolol, n=70). Mean baseline average IOP levels were 24 mm Hg in both groups. The least square mean change from baseline to week 8 was -6.7 mm Hg for latanoprost versus -4.9 mm Hg for timolol [least square mean difference=1.8 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 0.7-2.9); P<0.001]. Latanoprost was associated with significantly lower mean average IOP levels at each visit (P<0.05). Both treatments were well tolerated and no treatment-emergent adverse event was considered by investigators to be severe. Conclusions: Once-daily administration of latanoprost 0.005% was significantly more effective in reducing IOP in Chinese patients with CACG than twice-daily instillation of timolol 0.5%. Both agents were well tolerated.