Pooled-Data Analysis of Three Randomized, Double-Masked, Six-Month Studies Comparing Intraocular Pressure-Reducing Effects of Latanoprost and Timolol in Patients With Ocular Hypertension

PURPOSE: To assess retrospectively the intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing effect of latanoprost compared with timolol in the subset of patients with ocular hypertension (OH). METHODS: Three randomized, double-masked, multicenter, parallel group, 6-month studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, and Scandinavia compared the efficacy and safety of latanoprost and timolol. The present study represents an analysis of the pooled data for the subset of OH patients. Intent-to-treat analyses were based on all randomized OH patients. RESULTS: Of the 441 patients with OH, 247 were treated with latanoprost and 194 were treated with timolol. Baseline mean diurnal IOP levels were 24.4 +/- 0.2 mm Hg (mean +/- standard error of the mean) in the latanoprost group and 24.2 +/- 0.2 mm Hg in the timolol group. Overall, latanoprost lowered mean diurnal IOP by 1.1 +/- 0.2 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.6 to 0.7 mm Hg, P < 0.001) more than timolol. The difference in IOP-lowering ability between the two drugs was not shown to be related to patient sex, age, race, presence or absence of previous treatment of OH, time elapsed since ocular diagnosis, or family history of glaucoma/OH. Percentage reductions from baseline in diurnal IOP levels of at least 20% were achieved by 83% of patients treated with latanoprost versus 62% of those receiving timolol. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost provides superior IOP reduction compared with timolol in patients with OH.