Central corneal thickness during treatment with travoprost 0.004% in glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
Experimental studies demonstrated an alteration of corneal collagen structure by prostaglandin analogues. The possible effect of the prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogue travoprost 0.004% on the central corneal thickness (CCT) in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients was evaluated.


METHODS
Consecutive, interventional case series. Seventy-four patients/136 eyes with glaucoma were included in the statistical analysis. All patients received travoprost 0.004% (Travatan(R)) once daily in one or both eyes. CCT was measured by using noncontact optical low-coherence reflectometry prior to the treatment and after 6 and 12 months.


RESULTS
Mean CCT of all treated eyes (n = 136) was 546.71 +/- 34.63 mum at baseline, 535.14 +/- 34.78 mum after 6 months, and 532.38 +/- 34.18 mum after 12 months (ANOVA, P < 0.001). Ninety-five percent of all treated eyes showed a decrease of CCT. CCT reduction mainly developed within the first 6 months of the treatment period. After 12 months, a CCT reduction >30 mum occurred in 5.1% of all treated eyes. There was a significant correlation between the magnitude of corneal thinning and the initial CCT but not between corneal thinning and IOP reductions.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical therapy with the prostaglandin derivate travoprost is accompanied by a significant reduction of CCT within one year of treatment. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the possible long-term effects of prostaglandins on the CCT of glaucoma patients.
Schlote
Torsten
T
Outpatient Clinic of Ophthalmology Ambimed, Basel, Switzerland. tschlote@bluewin.ch
Tzamalis
Argyrios
A
Kynigopoulos
Myron
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D000069557:Travoprost; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003008:Cloprostenol; D000069557:Travoprost