Method for treating glaucoma by the topical administration of selectively metabolized beta-blocking agents

摘要

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 alkynyl aryl, or aralkyl; A may be a direct bond, lower alkylenyl, or lower alkenyl; x may be an integer from 1 to 3; Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; R1 may be lower alkyl, lower hydroxy alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or aralkyl; and pharmaceutically accepted salts 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 side effects.