Recruiting

Rhopressa vs. Timolol

Sponsor:

Brett King

Code:

NCT07847073

Conditions

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG)

Glaucoma

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Netarsudil 0.02% Ophthalmic Solution [RHOPRESSA]

Timolol Maleate 0.25% Ophthalmic Solution

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this study is to compare how two FDA-approved eye drops: netarsudil (Rhopressa) and timolol, protect nerve cells in the eye of adults with open-angle glaucoma. Both medications lower pressure inside the eye, but researchers want to learn if Rhopressa is more effective at slowing down or preventing the loss of retinal ganglion cells. These cells are essential for sight because they carry visual signals from the eye to the brain.

Participants in this study will complete a total of 6 study visits over 12 months:

  • Participants will spend 6 months using Rhopressa eye drops and 6 months using Timolol eye drops. The order of the two eye drops will be chosen randomly.
  • At scheduled study visits, researchers will examine participants' eyes and measure eye pressure.
  • Researchers will take detailed pictures of the back of the eye using a specialized high-resolution camera called adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT).
  • Participants will also complete specialized visual field testing to measure eye function.

Researchers will count and track individual nerve cells over time to determine if one medication offers better protection against cell loss than the other.

Conditions

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG)

Glaucoma

Study ID

NCT07847073

Start date

Oct, 2026

Status verified date

Sep, 2026

Completion date

Jan, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jan, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All subjects will be 18 years of age or older
  • Subjects must be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and have had an eye exam within the past year
  • Subjects with glaucoma will have structural (optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer) and functional (visual field testing) defects consistent with the diagnosis of glaucoma
  • Subjects will have a corrected acuity of 20/50 or better and be able to fixate
  • Naïve to medication subjects or post washout IOP between 18 and 34 mmHg
  • Spherical equivalent from +3 diopters to -6 diopters, with a cylinder of <-3 diopters
  • Subject is willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements and to remain in the study for its full duration, including all scheduled visits and follow-up assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects with a known intolerance to netarsudil ophthalmic solution
  • Subjects with a known intolerance to, or contraindication for, timolol maleate
  • Any subject whom the investigator determines to be at unacceptable risk for the washout or believes is unlikely to complete the study
  • Subjects with retinal disease or optic neuropathies other than glaucoma that, in the opinion of the investigator, could confound the study assessments or outcome
  • Female subjects who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing age who are not sterile or using an acceptable method of contraception during the study

Study Design

Enrollment

13 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Crossover

Primary purpose

Other

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Rhopressa first, then Timolol

Participants will instill netarsudil 0.02% (Rhopressa) ophthalmic solution (1 drop in the study eye once daily in the evening) for the first 6 months (Months 0-6). At the Month 6 visit, participants will cross over to instill timolol maleate 0.25% ophthalmic solution (1 drop in the study eye twice daily) for the remaining 6 months (Months 6-12).

experimental: Timolol first, then Rhopressa

Participants will instill timolol maleate 0.25% ophthalmic solution (1 drop in the study eye twice daily) for the first 6 months (Months 0-6). At the Month 6 visit, participants will cross over to instill netarsudil 0.02% (Rhopressa) ophthalmic solution (1 drop in the study eye once daily in the evening) for the remaining 6 months (Months 6-12).

Interventions

Netarsudil 0.02% Ophthalmic Solution [RHOPRESSA]

Netarsudil ophthalmic solution (Rhopressa) is an FDA-approved Rho kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. In this study, participants will instill 1 drop of netarsudil 0.02% ophthalmic solution in the study eye once daily in the evening for 6 months.

Timolol Maleate 0.25% Ophthalmic Solution

Timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is an FDA-approved non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent indicated for the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. In this study, participants will instill 1 drop of timolol maleate 0.25% ophthalmic solution in the study eye twice daily (in the morning and evening) for 6 months.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in GC soma density (cells/mm²) [ Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Brett J King, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO (Glaucoma)

(812) 855-1344kingbrj@iu.edu

Kaitlyn M Asher, CCRC, BS

2194067487kamasher@iu.edu

Locations

Indiana University School Of Optometry

Recruiting

Bloomington, Indiana, United States, 47405

Contacts

Brett J King, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO(Glaucoma)

(812) 855-1344kingbrj@iu.edu

Kaitlyn M Asher, CCRC, BS

2194067487kamasher@iu.edu

More Information

Sponsor

Brett King

Last update posted

Sep 29, 2026

Last verified

Sep, 2026

Keywords

  • glaucoma
  • rhopressa
  • ganglion cells
  • optometry
  • vision
  • IOP
  • eye pressure
  • timolol

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-30. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Brett King on 2026-09-29. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.