IMPROVED LUNG-FUNCTION TESTS ON CHANGING FROM TOPICAL TIMOLOL - NONSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKADE IMPAIRS LUNG-FUNCTION TESTS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Fifty-two elderly glaucomatous patients, without a history of asthma or obstructive airways disease, who were using topical timolol for control of intraocular pressure were recruited. Their topical therapy was changed to either betaxolol or pilocarpine. The change was associated with improvement in mean peak How from 278 l/min to 328 l/min (t = 5.73, p < 0.001), mean FEV, from 1.66 l to 1.85 l (t = 7.09, p < 0.001) and mean FVC from 2.40 l to 2.64 l (t = 5.07, p < 0.001). Change to either betaxolol or pilocarpine was associated with improved lung function tests. Lung function tests in a control group of 20 showed no significant changes. Both drugs maintained control of intraocular pressure but betaxolol had fewer ocular side effects.