Tear clearance and ocular symptoms in patients treated with preservative-free prostaglandins.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effects on dry eye symptoms and tear dynamics of switching from a prostaglandin with a preservative to a preservative-free prostaglandin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Fourteen patients (N=28 eyes) with open-angle glaucoma and dry eye symptons, treated with preserved latanoprost, travoprost or bimatoprost were included in this uncontrolled prospective study. Ocular symptoms were analysed using a validated ocular surface disease questionnaire and ocular signs were assessed with tear clearance, Schirmer and tear function index test (TFI=Schirmer/clearance). Patients were assigned to preservative-free tafluprost treatment, and measurements were repeated 4 weeks after change of medication. Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

No statistically significant difference in intraocular pressure (IOP) was observed after switching to tafluprost. Mean IOP at baseline was 20.4 mmHg (SD2.2) and after 4 weeks 19.9 mmHg (SD2.6), (P>.05). The mean questionnaire score significantly decreased from 9.7 (SD3.7) at baseline to 5.4 (SD2.7) after one month (P<.001). No significant differences in tear clearance, Schirmer or TFI were found (P>.05). At baseline, tear clearance=0.13 (SD0.07), Schirmer=10.7 mm (SD6) and TFI=80 (48-156). After 4 weeks, tear clearance=0.1(SD0.07), Schirmer=9.5 mm (3.9) and TFI=104 (48-216). A significant association between questionnaire score and tear clearance after 4 weeks was observed (Spearman coefficient=0.62; P=.014).

CONCLUSIONS:

Switching from preservative prostaglandin with a preservative to preservative-free tafluprost treatment improves dry eye symptoms and suggests an improvement in TFI.

• Authors: R Giménez-Gómez, M R García-Catalán, J M Gallardo-Galera
• Journal: Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol) Vol. 88 Issue 3 Pg. 88-91 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1989-7286 [Electronic] Spain
• PMID: 23473084 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
• Prostaglandins
• Prostaglandins F
• tafluprost

Topics

• Aged
• Dry Eye Syndromes (complications, drug therapy)
• Female
• Glaucoma, Open-Angle (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
• Prospective Studies
• Prostaglandins (therapeutic use)
• Prostaglandins F (therapeutic use)
• Tears