The effects of the beta-adrenergic-blocking agents, timolol and carteolol, on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in Japanese glaucoma patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether two topical beta-blockers, timolol and carteolol, differently affect plasma lipids and lipoproteins in normolipidemic Japanese patients with glaucoma.

METHODS

Thirty-three normolipidemic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomly allocated to and completed 16 weeks of bilateral treatment with 0.5% timolol, 1.0% carteolol, or 2.0% carteolol twice daily in a three-center, prospective study. Patients using any drugs affecting plasma lipids or with a history of beta-blocker use of hyperlipoproteinemia were excluded. Fasting blood lipids and lipoproteins, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and apoproteins, were measured three times before therapy was initiated. These measurements were repeated every 4 weeks during the treatment period.

RESULTS

The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased in the timolol treatment group but did not change in the carteolol treatment groups. The ratio of total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the timolol treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical beta-blockers do affect plasma lipids in Japanese patients with glaucoma. The effects of timolol are greater than those of carteolol.