Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of travoprost 0.004% versus timolol 0.5% as an initial intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication for ocular hypertension secondary to vitrectomy.
Patients and methods: We performed a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded clinical trial in the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University in China. This trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChICTR1800014942) before patient enrollment. Seventy-nine adults with IOP of 25–45 mmHg secondary to vitrectomy in the latest one month were enrolled and randomized to receive travoprost 0.004% or timolol 0.5%. More drugs were administered to patients with IOP > 25 mmHg during follow-up.
Results: The mean IOP reduction at day 1 was −10.97 mmHg in the timolol group and −15.02 mmHg in the travoprost group (P  = 0.006); no significant difference was observed between the groups at later time points. The number of IOP-lowering medications at day 21 was 0.64 in the timolol group and 1.15 in the travoprost group (P  = 0.038), while no significant differences were observed at other time points. The proportion of single IOP-lowering medications used during the 4-week follow-up was 72.73% in the timolol group and 68.42% in the travoprost group (P  = 0.692). Inflammation scores were not significantly different in the two groups at any time point. Increased ocular hyperemia occurred in 8 patients (19%) in the travoprost group and none in the timolol group (P  = 0.005). There were no significant differences in other adverse events between the two groups. After logistic regression model analysis, IOP ≥ 30 mmHg, inflammation score ≥ 2, and silicone oil as tamponade were found to be the factors with significant effects on the number of IOP-lowering medications used during the 4-week follow-up.
Conclusion: Travoprost and timolol have similar efficacy and safety for treating ocular hypertension secondary to vitrectomy.
Keywords: travoprost, timolol, vitrectomy, ocular hypertension, early-onset