Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 445-450
Comparison of the Effect of Topical 0.5% Timolol Maleate And 4% Pilocarpine on the Ocular Tear Film pH of Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Azuamah Y.C1, Esenwah E.C2, Ikoro N.C3, Megwas A.U4, Ugwuoke G.I5, Ogbonna U6
Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Azuamah, Y.C
ABSTRACT
The pH is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. This study was carried out to compare the effect of 0.5% timolol maleate and 4% pilocarpine eye drops on the ocular tear film pH of subjects with primary open angle glaucoma. The study was a clinical study carried out at the Optometry Teaching Clinic, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. The subjects were divided into two groups of 84 subjects each. The ocular tear film pH was measured using sterile pH strips. The base line tear film pH was taken first. The first group was administered with one drop of 0.5% timolol maleate eye drop and the ocular tear film pH was measured again after 4 hours and after 24 hours. The second group was administered with one drop 4% pilocarpine eye drop and the ocular tear film pH was measured after 4 hours and after 24 hours. Results showed the mean pH values before administration with timolol eye drop was 6.94±0.48 in group one and 6.98±0.51 before administration of pilocarpine in group two. After 4 hours, the mean pH was 7.02±0.29 among subjects administered with timolol and 6.14±0.57 among subjects administered with pilocarpine. After 24 hours, the mean pH was 6.97±0.46 among subjects administered with timolol and 6.95±0.48 among subjects administered with pilocarpine. SPSS statistical analysis using the Paired Sample T test at 0.05 level of significance showed there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in ocular tear film pH after 4 hours of administration among subjects administered with 0.5% timolol maleate eye drop and subjects administered with 4% pilocarpine eye drop. After 24 hours of administration, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the ocular tear film pH. Timolol eye drop (0.5%) was found to be safer with regards to changes in the ocular tear film pH.
Key words: Timolol maleate, Pilocarpine, pH, Tear film, Glaucoma
[PDF Full Text]