A (randomized/prospective/pilot) study comparing the efficacy of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty versus brimonidine tartrate 0.2%/timolol maleate 0.5% (Combigan, Allergan inc. Irvine, CA/USA) in lowering intraocular pressure as adjunct therapy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the intraocular pressure lowering efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty to brimonidine tartrate 0.2%/timolol maleate 0.5% (FCBT, Combigan, Allergan inc. Irvine, CA/USA) in patients with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma on a prostaglandin analog alone. A secondary outcome was to evaluate the complication rates of selective laser trabeculoplasty. Patients and Methods: Twenty-three patients were randomized to two treatment groups within this prospective, observer-masked single site, all optometrist, pilot study. Group 1 (N=12) received 360 degrees of selective laser trabeculoplasty as additional treatment while Group 2 (N=11) was started on FCBT. Outcomes of both groups were measured at eight weeks. Results: Both treatment regimens were found to be statistically significant in lowering IOP when used as adjunct therapy. The average IOP reduction for Group 1 and Group 2 was 28.43% (SD = .17) and 28.22% (SD = .12) respectively. The incidence of an intraocular pressure spike following SLT in this patient population was found to be 8.3%. No major complications were observed in this study. Conclusion: Selective laser trabeculoplasty and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%/timolol maleate 0.5% (FCBT, Combigan, Allergan inc. Irvine, CA/USA) were shown to be equivalent in lowering intraocular pressure in uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma patients when used as adjunct therapy for patients on a prostaglandin analog. Additionally, this is the first prospective study of optometrists performing selective laser trabeculoplasty. Although this study had a small sample size, the results appeared to show that efficacy and complication rates were comparable to previously published data; however, these results need to be confirmed with a larger multi-centered trial.