Cardiovascular Effects of Topical Carteolol Hydrochloride and Timolol Maleate in Patients With Ocular Hypertension and Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

To compare the effects of topical timolol maleate 0.5% and carteolol hydrochloride 1% on pulse rate and blood pressure. In a randomized, double-masked, parallel-design, multicenter clinical trial, we compared the effects of timolol and carteolol on pulse rate and blood pressure measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in 169 adult patients with either ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma. From noon to 8 PM, baseline mean pulse rate of 82 to 83 beats per minute (bpm) had decreased by 4 to 6 bpm in both groups after 4 weeks of therapy with timolol or carteolol. From midnight to 4 AM, the pulse rate in the carteolol group was significantly above baseline (P = .005), while the timolol group was significantly below baseline (P < .001). Four times as many patients became bradycardic (heart rate,