Efficacy and safety of switching to travoprost/timolol fixed-combination therapy from latanoprost monotherapy.

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the efficacy of switching to a travoprost/timolol fixed-combination (TTFC) therapy from latanoprost monotherapy.

METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label study in which patients with either primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had been undergoing latanoprost monotherapy for at least 3 months were enrolled. Baseline was defined as the time when the subjects were started on latanoprost monotherapy. Examination periods were defined as 1, 2, and 3 months the switch to TTFC therapy, and 1-2 months after the switch back to latanoprost monotherapy. The parameters examined were intraocular pressure (IOP), conjunctival hyperemia, and corneal erosion, as well as blood pressure and heart rate. A survey was conducted 1 and 3 months after the switch to TTFC therapy with a focus on each subject's impressions.

RESULTS: Among the 70 enrolled subjects, the 58 (29 men, 29 women) who completed the protocol were analyzed. The IOP before and at 1, 2, and 3 months after the switch to TTFC therapy was measured and again after the switch back to latanoprost monotherapy. The results indicated that TTFC therapy significantly reduced the IOP (P < 0.001) and significantly decreased the heart rate, but it did not significantly change either the systolic or diastolic blood pressure. TTFC therapy also did not significantly change either the conjunctival hyperemia or corneal erosion. In the questionnaire, the patients indicated that their impression was that there was no significant difference between the two ophthalmic solutions.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to latanoprost monotherapy, TTFC therapy significantly reduced IOP and decreased the heart rate in the patient cohort. No differences were found in terms of patients' impressions.