This study is evaluating possible non-intraocular pressure (IOP) related effects of the alpha-1 agonist brimonidine in human subjects affected by a progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Brimonidine was proven as neuroprotective in several pre-clinical animal studies.
Patients with open angle glaucoma and a history of relative stability of the visual field are followed for 18 months. A visual field is measured every 3 months for a total number of n = 6 eligible fields at the end of this phase. Then, those eyes showing progression of the field (i.e. deterioration of th eexisting glaucoma), are randomized to receive either 0.2% brimonidine tartrate eyedrops b.i.d. or 360° argon laser trabeculoplasty in one session. Either treatment will be put "on top" of the pre-existing anti-glaucoma therapy. Then, a further 18-month phase is planned, with a sequnece of field taken at the same pace as the previous phase. Progression is detected (and measured) acording to a trend-analysis (i.e. regression vs time of single points and of clusters of adjacent points).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
sezione di Oftalmologia
Parma, Italy
progression of visual field measured as loss of sensitivity in decibels per year
progression of visual field measured as number of eyes showing at least one cluster of points progressing
number of drop out(s) for adverse events
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