Switching to latanoprost monotherapy for 24 weeks in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE

To investigate the intraocular pressure lowering effect in glaucoma patients switched to latanoprost therapy from isopropyl unoprostone given as monotherapy or in combination with a beta-blocker.

METHODS

Patients with primary open angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma treated with 0.12% isopropyl unoprostone as monotherapy or in combination with a beta-blocker were eligible for this single-center clinical study. Of the 51 patients (51 eyes) enrolled, 18 were men and 33 were women aged 62.1 +/- 12.3 years (mean +/- SD). Twenty-two patients had primary open angle glaucoma, and 29 patients had normal tension glaucoma. Intraocular pressure was measured twice within 3 months prior to the switch, and the mean value was taken as the baseline. The patients were then switched to latanoprost (0.005%) monotherapy (once-daily administration), and changes in intraocular pressure were monitored. One physician measured intraocular pressure after 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks of administration in this 24-week study.

RESULTS

The mean intraocular pressures were 16.0 +/- 2.4 mmHg at baseline, 13.7 +/- 2.3 mmHg after 4 weeks, 13.1 +/- 2.1 mmHg after 8 weeks, 13.6 +/- 2.0 mmHg after 16 weeks, and 13.3 +/- 2.4 mmHg after 24 weeks. A significant decrease in intraocular pressure was noted at all time points in both groups (paired t-test, p < 0.0001), and the intraocular pressure lowering effect persisted through week 24 of administration (analysis of variance, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to latanoprost monotherapy elicits further reduction in intraocular pressure in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma.