Observational study of patients switched to the fixed travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% combination in Croatia.

The purpose of this study was to assess both the benefits of a 3-month travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5%fixed combination (trav/tim) regimen in comparison with previous medications for the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the tolerability of these drug regimens in glaucoma patients. An observational, non-interventional, open-label study of 406 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension was thus undertaken. One drop of trav/tim fixed combination was administered in the evening for 3 months. Patients were divided into five groups according to previous drug regimens: timolol 0.5% monotherapy; betaxolol 0.5% monotherapy; latanoprost 0.005% monotherapy; travoprost 0.004% monotherapy; and dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination. Upon medication substitution, the trav/tim fixed combination provided better IOP control and tolerability in all five patient groups. At the 3-month follow up, the mean IOP changes from previous therapy were as follows: 5.2 ± 2.7 mmHg (20.8% change) in timolol 0.5% group; 5.7 ± 2.2 mmHg (22.5% change) in betaxolol 0.5% group; 3.8 ± 2.6 mmHg (24.5% change) in latanoprost 0.005% group; 4.4 ± 2.8 mmHg (20% change) in travoprost 0.004% group; and 3.4 ± 4.1 mmHg (14.5% change) in dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination group. The difference between baseline and trav/tim combination patient satisfaction at the 3-month follow-up was significant. Thus, the trav/tim fixed combination provided better IOP control and tolerability than previous mono- or polytherapies.

[The neodymium YAG laser and surgical discission in traumatic cataracts]. / Neodymium YAG laser i kirurska discizija kod traumatske katarakte.

The results achieved in the treatment of secondary traumatic cataract using either Nd-YAG laser or surgical discussion in 41 patients at the Department of Ophtmhalmology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb in the period between 1987 and 1989 are presented. Good visual acuity was achieved in 60% of the patients who were treated by Nd-YAG laser, and in 28% of those who had surgical discussion. Transitory increase of intraocular pressure measured 2 hours after Nd-YAG laser application was observed in 90% of the subjects. Transitory increase of IOP correlated negatively with the total amount of the applied laser energy. In 24 hours following surgical discussion no increase of IOP was noted. Postoperative complications of vitreous prolapse and bullous keratopathy were found in 4 patients treated by surgical discussion.