The latanoprost monotherapy survey in New Zealand, 2000.
BACKGROUND
A State subsidy for latanoprost has been recently introduced. It is subject to several conditions including that it should only be used as monotherapy.


METHODS
A prospective survey of all New Zealand ophthalmologists was undertaken to determine the outcome of the widespread trial of latanoprost monotherapy. The return rate was 82%.


RESULTS
Of 2900 patients on latanoprost nation-wide, 14.7% were monotherapy failures. Of these, 93% were due to inadequate intraocular pressure control but this subgroup had adequate control on two or more medications in 88%. Ophthalmologists had 635 patients that were not trialed as monotherapy, of which 565 (89%) were due to a perceived risk.


CONCLUSIONS
In those patients treated with latanoprost, 85% were adequately controlled as monotherapy.
Elder
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. mark.elder@cdhb.govt.nz
Mora
J
J
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005380:Financing, Government; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009520:New Zealand; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost