Long-term effect of latanoprost on central corneal thickness in normal tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effect of latanoprost on central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study and included 166 eyes of 166 patients [128 with NTG and 38 with glaucoma suspect, suspicious discs with normal visual fields, and an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21  mmHg as the control group]. Patients with newly diagnosed NTG and who had not had previous topical glaucomatous treatment were followed ≥24 months and received latanoprost 0.005% monotherapy once a day. CCT measurements were performed with an ultrasound pachymeter. CCT measurements before treatment and 24 months after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the latanoprost group and the control group with respect to sex, age, baseline IOP, and CCT. A statistically significant reduction in the mean CCT was observed in the latanoprost group [535.5 ± 37.9 vs. 530.1 ± 36.4  μm (n = 128), P < 0.01], but not in the control group [543.1 ± 40.2 vs. 542.6 ± 37.0  μm (n = 38), P = 0.786].

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term use of latanoprost may decrease the CCT in patients with NTG. Therefore, clinicians must be aware of longitudinal CCT variations that may arise throughout the follow-up period for proper IOP targeting and management.