Rate of response to latanoprost or timolol in patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the rate of response to latanoprost compared with timolol in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, whether some patients convert from non-responders to responders after more prolonged therapy, and whether this conversion represents a delayed response or random fluctuation.


METHODS
In a previously described, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel group study, patients received either 0.005% latanoprost once daily (n = 128) or 0.5% timolol twice daily (n = 140) for 6 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was assessed at baseline and at 0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 months of treatment at 8 am on all visits, and also at noon and 4 pm at baseline and 6 months. Rate of response based on diurnal measurement at 6 months compared with baseline was assessed using several criteria for response. Eyes with an IOP reduction of less than 15% compared with baseline at 8 am arbitrarily were classified as non-responders at each of the 5 visits during treatment. Consistency of non-responder classifications for individual eyes was assessed.


RESULTS
Mean IOP reduction was greater (P < 0.001) in latanoprost-versus timolol-treated patients throughout the course of therapy. A greater rate of response occurred in patients treated with latanoprost, and differences in response rates between the 2 drugs increased as the definitions of response became more stringent. A greater percentage of non-responders at any single visit were classified as responders at all other visits with latanoprost in comparison with timolol.


CONCLUSIONS
Latanoprost produces a greater rate of response compared with timolol. A higher percentage of non-responders to latanoprost compared with timolol on any individual visit are responders on all other visits. Likewise, a higher proportion of patients who do not initially respond will become responders with continued treatment with latanoprost compared with timolol.
Camras
Carl B
CB
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nebraska medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5540, USA. cbcamras@unmc.edu
Hedman
Katarina
K
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol