The efficacy of the combination of l-moprolol and dipivefrin in reducing the intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma or in ocular hypertension

BACKGROUND: In this double-blind prospective trial the efficacy of lowering the intraocular pressure of l-moprolol given alone and in combination with dipivefrin was tested. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomly assigned to receive twice-daily l-moprolol eye drops or dipivefrin eye drops for 4 weeks; in a second phase of the trial, the combination of the two drugs was administered for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that l-moprolol and dipivefrin had an equivalent effect in lowering the intraocular pressure. The association of the two drugs caused a further reduction of intraocular pressure which was significant only in the group previously treated with dipivefrin alone. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated that the combination of l-moprolol and dipivefrin is an effective and safe treatment for elevated intraocular pressure.