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Effects of timolol maleate on tear flow in human eyes

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Abstract

Lacrimal function was studied in 30 patients treated for glaucoma, with 0.25% timolol eye drops.

Rose bengal and fluorescein staining disclosed punctate epithelial defects in 11 eyes after one week. During the following weeks there defects disappeared spontaneously in most eyes.

Schirmer tests (I and II), tear lysozyme and pre-corneal film break-up time were significantly decreased by the treatment, while tear immunoglobulins were unimpaired.

The authors conclude that topical timolol treatment decreases tear production.

This effect is quantitatively limited and does not appear dangerous for normal eyes, although it may become so for eyes with an originally low lacrimal secretion.

Zusammenfassung

An 30 Patienten, die wegen Glaukom mit 0,25% igen Timolol-Augentropfen behandelt wurden, wurde die Tränenfunktion untersucht.

Rose bengal und Fluoreszein-Anfärbungen zeigten punktförmige Epitheldefekte in 11 Augen nach einer Woche Therapie. Während der folgenden Wochen verschwanden sie spontan in den meisten Fällen.

Der Schirmer-Test (I und II), Tränen-Lysozyme und Aufbruchzeit waren signifikant herabgesetzt bei den behandelten Augen, während die Tränen-Immunoglobuline unverändert waren.

Die Autoren schließen daraus, daß örtliche Anwendung von Timolol die Tränenproduktion herabsetzt. Dieser Effekt ist quantitativ begrenzt und scheint in normalen Augen keinen schädlichen Effekt zu haben. Er könnte jedoch gefährlich werden in Augen, die schon vorher eine niedrige Sekretion hatten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ospedale di Borgo Trento, University Eye Clinic, I-37100, Verona, Italy

    Luciano Bonomi, Giancarlo Zavarise, Ettore Noya & Stefano Michieletto

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  1. Luciano Bonomi
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  2. Giancarlo Zavarise
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  3. Ettore Noya
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  4. Stefano Michieletto
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Bonomi, L., Zavarise, G., Noya, E. et al. Effects of timolol maleate on tear flow in human eyes. Albrecht v Graefes Arch. klin. exp. Ophthal. 213, 19–22 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02391207

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