Intraocular pressure, safety and quality of life in glaucoma patients switching to latanoprost from adjunctive and monotherapy treatments.

PURPOSE

To evaluate efficacy, safety and quality of life in ocular hypertensive or open-angle glaucoma patients changed to latanoprost from previous therapy.

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, active-controlled design in which qualified patients had their previous therapy substituted for latanoprost and were followed for at least three months.

RESULTS

In 1068 patients, latanoprost was continued 92% throughout the 36-month observation period. Latanoprost treatment reduced the intraocular pressure (1OP)(p < 0.001) when compared to previous monotherapies including: beta-blockers (-4.0 +/- 3.7 mmHg, 42%), alpha-antagonists (-3.9 +/- 3.0 mmHg, 14%), miotics (-3.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg, 2%), or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) (-3.8 +/- 3.6 mmHg, n = 16%), and adjunctive therapy including: beta-blocker and CAI (-3.7 +/- 3.1 mmHg, n = 12%), alpha-agonist (-3.7 +/- 3.4 mmHg, n = 5%), or pilocarpine (-3.4 +/- 3.7 mmHg, n = 6%), or CAI and alpha-agonist (-4.6 +/- 6.4 mm Hg, n = 2%)(p < 0.0017). The most common adverse event with latanoprost was ocular allergy (1.5% incidence). Patients showed a preference for latanoprost for many systemic and ocular quality of life measures on a non-validated questionnaire (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In a clinical setting, patients who have their mono- and adjunctive therapy treatment substituted for latanoprost may on average experience reduced IOP, decreased side effects and increased quality of life measures.