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F. T. Fraunfelder, MD; S. Martha Meyer
Portland, Ore

Sheryl J. Menacker, MD
Philadelphia, Pa

JAMA. 1990;263(11):1493-1494.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

Topical ophthalmic β-blockers are the most commonly used treatment for glaucoma. There are three topical ophthalmic β-blockers available: betaxolol, levobunolol, and timolol. Two of these were among the top 200 most commonly used prescription drugs in 1988. Although these β-adrenergic blocking agents are well tolerated by the majority of patients, side effects account for therapy discontinuance in up to 10% of patients.¹ Side effects caused by systemic β-blockers also have been reported secondary to use of topical ophthalmic β-blockers, since therapeutic levels of plasma timolol have been observed 1 hour after receiving topical ophthalmic timolol.^2,3 Alopecia has been reported in patients who use oral β-blockers.^4-8 This is the first report of alopecia due to use of topical ophthalmic β-blockers.

The National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects (Department of Ophthalmology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland) has received reports of 56 cases of alopecia in . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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