title: Switching to latanoprost monotherapy for 24 weeks in glaucoma patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the intraocular pressure lowering effect in glaucoma patients switched to latanoprost therapy from isopropyl unoprostone given as monotherapy or in combination with a beta-blocker.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with primary open angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma treated with 0.12% isopropyl unoprostone as monotherapy or in combination with a beta-blocker were eligible for this single-center clinical study. Of the 51 patients (51 eyes) enrolled, 18 were men and 33 were women aged 62.1 +/- 12.3 years (mean +/- SD). Twenty-two patients had primary open angle glaucoma, and 29 patients had normal tension glaucoma. Intraocular pressure was measured twice within 3 months prior to the switch, and the mean value was taken as the baseline. The patients were then switched to latanoprost (0.005%) monotherapy (once-daily administration), and changes in intraocular pressure were monitored. One physician measured intraocular pressure after 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks of administration in this 24-week study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean intraocular pressures were 16.0 +/- 2.4 mmHg at baseline, 13.7 +/- 2.3 mmHg after 4 weeks, 13.1 +/- 2.1 mmHg after 8 weeks, 13.6 +/- 2.0 mmHg after 16 weeks, and 13.3 +/- 2.4 mmHg after 24 weeks. A significant decrease in intraocular pressure was noted at all time points in both groups (paired t-test, p < 0.0001), and the intraocular pressure lowering effect persisted through week 24 of administration (analysis of variance, p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Switching to latanoprost monotherapy elicits further reduction in intraocular pressure in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Urayasu Hospital, Chiba--Japan. imk-tak@xb3.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost