Effects of switching to SofZia-preserved travoprost in patients who presented with superficial punctate keratopathy while under treatment with latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of switching to SofZia-preserved travoprost (TRV) on superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) observed in patients using benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-preserved latanoprost (LAT).

METHODS

Patients with either primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension treated with LAT for at least 1 month who presented with SPK participated in this prospective, multicenter, open-label uncontrolled study. After the switch from LAT to TRV, patients were monitored at 2 weeks and at 1, 2, and 3 months. The use of concomitantly employed ophthalmic solutions was continued during the observation period. The intensity of SPK in each of five areas defined on the cornea was scored on a standard scale. Repeated measurements were tested with a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients enrolled, 45 patients completed the study. After the switch to TRV, the mean SPK score in the whole cornea decreased significantly at every observation point (P < 0.0001 at each point) while intraocular pressure did not change significantly. Throughout the observation period, the SPK score tended to be higher in patients using a larger number of concomitant medications that contained BAC.

CONCLUSION

Switching to TRV improved SPK observed in a population using LAT, likely because of a decrease in exposure to BAC.