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Ocular surface status in glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients with existing corneal disorders switched from latanoprost 0.005% to tafluprost 0.0015%: comparison of two prostaglandin analogues with different concentrations of benzalkonium chloride
Author(s) -
Wong Tina T,
Aung Tin,
Ho Ching Lin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/ceo.13329
Subject(s) - latanoprost , medicine , ophthalmology , hyperaemia , ocular hypertension , glaucoma , intraocular pressure , travoprost , adverse effect , blood flow
Abstract Importance Glaucoma treatment has often been associated with adverse side‐effects from preservatives that are included in the used eye drops. Background To evaluate changes in the ocular surface and the presence of prostaglandin‐induced corneal disorders after being switched from latanoprost 0.005% to low preservative tafluprost 0.0015% ophthalmic solution. Design Single centre, prospective study. Participants Patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension that had received treatment with once daily latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution for control of intraocular pressure (IOP) for 3 months, with a score of above 1 on the National Eye Institute (NEI) ocular surface staining scale. Methods Following the ≥3 month latanoprost treatment period, patients were switched to once daily low preservative tafluprost 0.0015% ophthalmic solution. Patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months. Main Outcome Measures Ocular surface changes were assessed by fluorescein staining score (NEI scale). Additional evaluations included tear break‐up time, hyperaemia score, subjective symptoms, changes in intraocular pressure and presence of adverse reactions. Results Out of 59 patients enrolled, 51 were included in the final analysis. Fluorescein staining scores at baseline, prior to treatment switch, were 6.9 ± 3.1 and 3.3 ± 2.7 at the end of the study period (change in scores was −3.6 ± 2.2 [ P < 0.001]). At last follow‐up, significant improvements were observed in tear break‐up time, hyperaemia score and subjective symptoms (all P < 0.05). Conclusions and Relevance The clinical signs of ocular surface disease and subjective symptoms of dry eyes improved following the switch to low preservative tafluprost and demonstrated comparable IOP lowering effectiveness.