First-line therapy with latanoprost 0.005% results in improved ocular circulation in newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients: a prospective, 6-month, open-label study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of latanoprost 0.005% on the optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal circulation of newly diagnosed and previously untreated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.


METHODS
Twenty-two newly diagnosed and previously untreated POAG patients (mean age+/-SD: 68.38+/-11.92 years) were included in this longitudinal open-label study. Patients were treated with latanoprost 0.005% once a day. Intraocular pressure (IOP), systemic blood pressure (BP), mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP), and ocular perfusion parameters 'volume', 'velocity', and 'flow' measured at the optic nerve head (ONH) and retina by means of Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter system were evaluated during a 6-month follow-up period.


RESULTS
Treatment with latanoprost 0.005% resulted in a significant decrease in IOP (P<0.0001) and increase in MOPP (P<0.0001). After correcting for changes in MOPP, the blood velocity measured at the ONH level was significantly higher after 6 months of treatment than at baseline (P=0.0310). In addition, blood volume and flow measured at the peripapillary retina level improved after 3 and 6 months of treatment (P=0.0170; P=0.0260, and P=0.0170; P=0.0240 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Previously untreated POAG patients exhibit reduced IOP, increased MOPP and improved ocular perfusion at the ONH and retina levels when treated with Latanoprost 0.005%. These effects could be beneficial for glaucoma patients suffering from ocular vascular dysregulation.
Gherghel
D
D
School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, UK. d.gherghel@aston.ac.uk
Hosking
S L
SL
Cunliffe
I A
IA
Armstrong
R A
RA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost