THE EFFECT OF METOPROLOL ON INTRA‐OCULAR PRESSURE IN GLAUCOMA: A Pilot Study

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Eleven patients with previously untreated glaucoma of 1 eye were given metoprolol [a selective .beta.1-antagonist], 50 mg .times. 3 for 1 day. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and heart rate were significantly reduced during treatment, and increased after drug withdrawal. In the eyes with glaucoma, the mean IOP was reduced from 30.1 to 20.6 mmHg during treatment. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also reduced during treatment, but stayed at the same level after withdrawal of the drug. At least part of the reductions observed for IOP and heart rate are evidently drug-induced, while the effect on blood pressure is probably induced by factors other than the drug. The effect on IOP is considered large enough to be of clinical interest.