A prospective, randomized study comparing the effects of preservative-free latanoprost and preserved latanoprost eyedrops on MMP-9 expression and ocular surface disease index in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of preservative-containing and preservative-free latanoprost eyedrops on dry eye symptoms and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in untreated open-angle glaucoma patients.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective

METHODS

Treatment-naïve open-angle glaucoma patients were randomly assigned to either preservative-containing or preservative-free latanoprost groups. The ocular surface disease index score, Schirmer test, tear break up time, corneal staining score, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in tears were prospectively compared before and at 1 and 3 months after drug instillation.

RESULTS

Ocular surface disease index score, Schirmer's test, tear break up time, corneal staining score, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression levels did not significantly differ between the two groups before drug instillation. After 3 months, the preservative-free latanoprost group exhibited a significantly longer tear break up time and improved corneal staining score. The proportion of patients with positive matrix metalloproteinase 9 in tears was lower in the preservative-free group, although this difference was not statistically significant (75.0% vs. 62.5%, P = 0.118).

CONCLUSION

Compared with preservative-containing latanoprost, the preservative-free preparation led to improved tear break up time and a potential reduction in positive matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression after 3 months in untreated open-angle glaucoma patients.