COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING GLAUCOMA

A method for the treatment of glaucoma or lowering intraocular pressure in a mammal, involving topically administering to the eye of such mammal a selectively metabolized beta-blocking compound of the formula wherein R may be lower alkyl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkynyl, aralkyl, or an ester-containing group and Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Because of a relatively long duration of action of such compounds in ocular fluids and a relatively short duration of action in the systemic circulation, such compounds are useful for the treatment of excessive intraocular pressure without substantial systemic effects.