To compare dorzolamide-timolol fixed combination (DTFC) and latanoprost with regard to their effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA).

Sixty eyes of 60 patients with open angle glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were included in the present study. Patients were divided into 2 groups, DTFC-treated (n = 30) and latanoprost-treated (n = 30). IOP and OPA were measured with dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), before and at least 1 month after treatment.

GAT IOP, DCT IOP and OPA decreased by 2.25 ± 2.23 mm Hg, 1.97 ± 2.06 mm Hg, and 0.14 ± 0.88 mm Hg, respectively in the DTFC-treated group. In the latanoprost-treated group, GAT IOP, DCT IOP and OPA was reduced by 2.74 ± 2.96 mm Hg, 2.06 ± 3.50 mm Hg, and 0.69 ± 1.07 mm Hg, respectively. There was no significant difference ( p = 0.311) in the decline of IOP between the 2 groups, but OPA of the DTFC-treated group decreased less than the latanoprost-treated group ( p = 0.032).

No significant differences were observed in the short-term decline of IOP between the 2 medications. However, the influence of DTFC on OPA appeared negligible in the latanoprost-treated group.