Clinical Characteristics of Allergy to a Brinzolamide 1.0%/Brimonidine 0.2% Fixed Combination in Korean Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Purpose: We describe the clinical aspects of allergy to a brinzolamide 1.0%/brimonidine 0.2% fixed combination (BBFC) in Korean patients with glaucoma. Methods: The medical records of 117 glaucoma patients treated with BBFC were retrospectively analyzed in terms of sex, age, glaucoma type, follow-up period after prescription of eyedrops, number of eyedrop preparations used, allergy onset, and clinical characteristics. Results: The incidence of ocular allergy during BBFC use was 12.8%. Allergy developed after an average of 8.58 months (range, 0.93-25.80 months); half of all allergies were evident within the first 5 months. The most common type of allergy was follicular conjunctivitis (53.4%), followed by papillary conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis. Systemic side-effects and eye discomfort (0.09%) were largely confined to non-allergic patients. Conclusions: An understanding of the clinical pattern of BBFC allergy in Korean glaucoma patients could facilitate treatment compliance and patients' education.