Impression cytology of the conjunctival epithelium after antiglaucomatous treatment with latanoprost.
OBJECTIVE
To study nongoblet and goblet epithelial conjunctival cells after several treatment periods with latanoprost, a prostaglandin analogue.


METHODS
Twelve patients (20 eyes) were studied before the onset of treatment and after 1, 3, and 6 months of latanoprost use. Impression cytology was carried out to analyze cellular density and morphologic parameters such as minimum and maximum diameter and area.


RESULTS
Nongoblet epithelium cell density did not change over the treatment period. The density of goblet cells increased after 1 month of use, but returned to initial cell density after longer treatment periods. Nongoblet epithelial cells underwent a significant reduction in size after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. In addition, the minimum/maximum diameter ratio suggested that after 1 month there were some changes in shape (a slight elongation) when compared to cells of untreated patients. Nevertheless, after longer treatment periods, the cells regained their original shape. No changes in size were observed in goblet cells, except for a slight decrease in maximum diameter after 6 months of treatment, which suggests that the cells became more rounded.


CONCLUSIONS
The density of nongoblet epithelial cells does not change after different treatment periods with latanoprost. However, their size decreases and after short treatment periods their shape also undergoes changes. The density of goblet cells increases after 1 month of treatment, but decreases again after longer periods. Their size does not undergo any modification, although there is a variation in shape after 6 months of treatment.
Moreno
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology School of Medicine, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain. mmoreno@uma.es
Villena
A
A
Cabarga
C
C
Sanchez-Font
E
E
Garcia-Campos
J
J
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002452:Cell Count; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost