Role of fixed combinations in the management of open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

The first-line option for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is a single hypotensive agent, but patients frequently require additional IOP-lowering agents to reach their target pressures. Disadvantages of this multi-therapy approach include washout effect, inconvenience and poor adherence. Fixed combinations (FCs) combine two or more hypotensive agents in a single bottle, providing a convenient once-daily therapy, which tends to improve adherence. FCs generally offer equivalent efficacy to concomitant use of the individual components, with equivalent or superior tolerability. Studies also show that FCs can be more cost effective than nonfixed combinations. In terms of optimizing IOP control, minimizing visual field deterioration, preventing visual disability and minimizing associated healthcare costs, FCs are an important component of glaucoma management.

Keywords::

• cost–effectiveness
• fixed combinations
• intraocular pressure
• management
• open-angle glaucoma

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Anton Hommer works as a consultant for Allergan and Pfizer, and has lectured for Alcon, Allergan, Merck, Pfizer, Santen and Zeiss. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Darwin Healthcare Communications provided medical writing assistance in producing this article, and Allergan funded this assistance.