Topical timolol for the treatment of conjunctival pyogenic granulomas: Outcomes and effect on intraocular pressure

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes of 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops for the treatment of conjunctival pyogenic granuloma (PG) and its effect on intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with conjunctival pyogenic granuloma between January 2019 and September 2019 were prescribed 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops twice a day and followed up for 8 weeks. IOPs were measured before treatment, while on treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients with conjunctival PGs were treated with 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops. Patients ranged from 7 to 72 years with a mean age of 31.1 years. Eleven (11/12; 91.6%) patients had complete resolution of pyogenic granulomas after a mean duration of treatment of 4.4 weeks (range: 3–6 weeks). One patient had a persistent PG, which showed sub-optimal resolution at 6 weeks of treatment and was surgically excised. The mean IOP of the affected eye at presentation was 15.1 mm Hg (range: 10 to 20 mm Hg; SD: ±2.9 mm Hg). One week after initiating therapy, the mean IOP was 12.1 mm Hg (range: 8–16 mm Hg; SD: ±2.4 mm Hg). The mean reduction IOP compared to the baseline IOP was statistically significant (p = 0.02). No adverse events were noted in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Topical timolol is effective in the treatment of conjunctival pyogenic granulomas with no major side effects. There is a significant reduction in IOP while on treatment which is reversible and returns to baseline following completion of therapy.