title: Topical ocular hypotensive medication and lens opacification: evidence from the ocular hypertension treatment study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether topical ocular hypotensive medication is associated with refractive changes, visual symptoms, decreased visual function, or increased lens opacification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-center clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the medication and observation groups of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) during 6.3 years of follow-up with regard to the rate of cataract and combined cataract/filtering surgery, and change from baseline in visual function, refraction, and visual symptoms. A one-time assessment of lens opacification was done using the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increased rate of cataract extraction and cataract/filtering surgery was found in the medication group (7.6%) compared with the observation group (5.6%) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 2.29). The medication and observation groups did not differ with regard to changes from baseline to June 2002 in Humphrey visual field mean deviation, Humphrey visual field foveal sensitivity, Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity, refraction, and visual symptoms. For the medication and observation groups, LOCS III readings were similar for nuclear color, nuclear opalescence, and cortical opacification. There was a borderline higher mean grade for posterior subcapsular opacity in the medication group (0.43 +/- 0.6 SD) compared with the observation group (0.36 +/- 0.6 SD) (P = .07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We noted an increased rate of cataract extraction and cataract/filtering surgery in the medication group as well as a borderline higher grade of posterior subcapsular opacification in the medication group on LOCS III readings. We found no evidence for a general effect of topical ocular hypotensive medication on lens opacification or visual function.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Mae O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beiser
authors.forename: Leo T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Chylack
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lamping
authors.forename: Oliver D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Schein
authors.forename: Joern B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Soltau
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kass
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018463:Filtering Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents