Hazard of Ophthalmic Timolol

Abstract

To the Editor: Harmful cardiorespiratory effects from timolol maleate in ophthalmic solution have been reported in adults^{1 2 3 4 5 6} but rarely in infants or children. A report on a neonate whose spells of apnea were associated with timolol⁷ suggests that young patients may have more acute and dramatic (and potentially lethal) adverse effects than adults. The following report describes a recurrent severe effect from timolol use in a toddler.An 18-month-old girl with left microphthalmus, congenital cataracts, congenital glaucoma of the right eye, cleft palate, and atrial-septal defect with cleft mitral valve was admitted to the hospital for evaluation after an episode . . .