Influence of latanoprost on the corneal epithelial barrier function in glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of topically administered latanoprost, a prostaglandin F(2alpha) analog, on the corneal epithelial barrier function.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients suffering from a glaucoma were enrolled. Ten patients without prior topical antiglaucoma medication received topical latanoprost (0.005%, once daily) for 30 days (monotherapy group); 14 patients receiving topical antiglaucoma medication also received latanoprost (0.005%, once daily) for 180 days (combination treatment group). Before and 30 days after treatment (monotherapy group) and before and 30 and 180 days after treatment (combination group), the corneal epithelial barrier function was measured by a fluorophotometric technique.


RESULTS
The fluorescein uptakes in the monotherapy group were 54.6 +/- (SE) 7.5 and 57.1 +/- 11.0 ng/ml before and 30 days after treatment, respectively (p = 0.81). In the combination group, the uptakes were 101.0 +/- 18.3 and 118.9 +/- 25.9 ng/ml (p = 0.38) and 93.4 +/- 17.5 ng/ml (p = 0.58) before and 30 and 180 days after treatment, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The corneal epithelial barrier function remained intact following the instillation of latanoprost in both groups.
Ishibashi
Takeshi
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0841, Japan. tishibas@ophth.kpu-m.ac.jp
Yokoi
Norihiko
N
Ohtsuki
Masanori
M
Mori
Kazuhiko
K
Komuro
Aoi
A
Kinoshita
Shigeru
S
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008875:Middle Aged; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003287:Contrast Media; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D019793:Fluorescein