Toxicity of preserved and unpreserved antiglaucoma topical drugs in an in vitro model of conjunctival cells

Abstract

In our model of conjunctival cells in vitro timolol-BAC(+) induced irreversible cytotoxic damage with some characteristics of apoptosis. The active compound of timolol-BAC(-) could be responsible for reactive oxygen species production and for cell viability variations. The role of oxidative stress in timolol-BAC(+)-induced toxicity seems not to be predominant. in vitro toxic effects of antiglaucoma drugs could, in part, explain some ocular surface disorders in long-term treated patients.