Latanoprost/timolol fixed-dose combination: two decades of efficacy and safety in glaucoma management

Topical prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) are recommended as first-line therapy for the treatment of glaucoma. However, many patients do not achieve adequate IOP control with monotherapy and require additional agents. Combination therapy involving the use of two individual eye drops makes the medication instillation regimen complex, often leading to reduced adherence to treatment. Lack of adherence leads to poor outcomes. Fixed combinations of glaucoma pharmacotherapies can simplify the dosing regimen, increase adherence, and improve the quality of life (QoL). Latanoprost 0.005% and timolol maleate 0.5% fixed combination (LTFC) was the first PGA/βeta-blocker (BB) combination, launched in the European Union in 2001, and continues to be widely used. Studies have reported improved QoL and patient satisfaction with LTFC compared to monotherapy or other combination therapies. A high level of satisfaction with LTFC concerning tolerability and good adherence has also been reported. In several studies comparing LTFC with other monotherapies, LTFC consistently showed a higher reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP). Some studies have also shown that LTFC leads to a greater reduction in IOP than other combination therapies. Thus, LTFC can be useful in the management of patients with inadequate IOP control on monotherapy.