PURPOSE: To investigate circadian intraocular pressure variation in patients treated with topical beta-blockers as monotherapy. METHOD: Circadian IOP curves were measured on 25 patients (47 eyes) treated with topical beta-blockers. IOP was recorded 4 times during the day and twice at night. All IOP measurements were taken using a non-contact tonometer. RESULTS: IOP at night was significantly higher than IOP during the day. Thirty-four percent exhibited an increase in IOP of more than 5 mmHg at night, and 15% exhibited an increase of 10-18 mmHg at night. The median range of circadian IOP variation was 7 mmHg. Determined separately by day, the range of IOP variation was 4 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with beta-blockers as monotherapy may experience greater variations in IOP than can be detected by conventional daytime IOP measurements.
PURPOSE: To investigate circadian intraocular pressure variation in patients treated with topical beta-blockers as monotherapy. METHOD: Circadian IOP curves were measured on 25 patients (47 eyes) treated with topical beta-blockers. IOP was recorded 4 times during the day and twice at night. All IOP measurements were taken using a non-contact tonometer. RESULTS: IOP at night was significantly higher than IOP during the day. Thirty-four percent exhibited an increase in IOP of more than 5 mmHg at night, and 15% exhibited an increase of 10-18 mmHg at night. The median range of circadian IOP variation was 7 mmHg. Determined separately by day, the range of IOP variation was 4 mmHg. CONCLUSION:Patients treated with beta-blockers as monotherapy may experience greater variations in IOP than can be detected by conventional daytime IOP measurements.