Efficacy of Betaxolol to Recover Unexplained Visual Loss After Uneventful Small Incision Cataract Surgery in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

To test the efficacy of topical betaxolol to recover unexplained visual loss after uneventful cataract surgery in hypertensive patients. Study design: Randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients of decreased visual acuity (20\40 to 20/50 after best correction after 6 weeks of uncomplicated small incision surgery in hypertensive patients were enrolled. Fifty eyes received topical betaxolol twice daily and fifty eyes received placebo eye drops as a randomized comparison group and followed up for more than six months. Change in best-corrected visual acuity was considered as change of five letters (0.1 log MAR) or more. Statistical analysis: Significance of difference of results between study and control groups is determined by Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher Exact test. RESULTS: 14 (28 %) patients demonstrated three lines and 31 (62 %) patients showed two line improvement in best-corrected visual acuity under treatment group. Whereas one (0.3 to 0.0) and 11 (0.4 to 0.2) eyes of the placebo group demonstrated same amount visual improvement. CONCLUSION: Topical betaxolol significantly improves visual acuity in unexplained visual loss after uneventful small incision cataract surgery in hypertensive patients.