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.