Long-term effect of latanoprost on central corneal thickness in normal-tension glaucoma: five-year follow-up results.

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

METHODS

This retrospective study included 41 eyes of 41 NTG patients and 40 eyes of 40 individuals with glaucoma suspect (controls). Newly diagnosed NTG patients with no previous glaucoma treatment were administered latanoprost 0.005% monotherapy once a day. CCTs were measured by ultrasound pachymetry before treatment and followed up annually for 5 years.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in mean CCT was observed in the NTG group [542.3±36.2 μm vs. 533.7±32.9 μm (n=41), P<0.001], but not in the control group [547.4±24.7 μm vs. 546.8±25.0 μm (n=40), P=0.59] at 5-year follow-up. In the NTG group, the CCT reduction mainly occurred during the first year of treatment (542.3±36.2 μm vs. 536.9±32.8 μm, P=0.001), and no significant correlation was found between CCT and intraocular pressure reductions (r=0.16, P=0.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Latanoprost significantly reduced CCT in NTG patients after 5 years of treatment. Serial observations of CCT might be helpful for the proper interpretation of glaucoma status in NTG patients.