The action of β-blockers on papillary blood flow is quite controversial. Because there is a known relationship between digital and ocular vasospasm, we measured digital blood flow by laser-Doppler methods as a peripheral index of ocular vasospastic disorders. Thus, the effects of cardioselective (betaxolol) and noncardioselective (timolol) β-blockers on peripheral blood flow in healthy volunteers were evaluated. Neither β-blocker lowered peripheral blood flow; for betaxolol, there was even a significant increase compared to no medication. No significant differences between betaxolol and timolol were seen.