title: Longitudinal effect of topical antiglaucoma medications on central corneal thickness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the change in central corneal thickness over time and whether the use of long-term topical antiglaucoma medications influences central corneal thickness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case control study with retrospective and prospective data collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighty-seven eyes of 187 glaucoma patients (mean follow up 6.92 ± 1.67 years) being treated with topical antiglaucoma medications (at least 3 years) with no history of surgery or laser were included and compared with 100 eyes of 100 age-matched, untreated control subjects (mean follow up 6.58 ± 1.93 years) who were glaucoma suspects with normal intraocular pressure not on any treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic data, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were collected at initial glaucoma diagnosis and at most recent visit, and findings were compared between two groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean change in central corneal thickness in microns (μm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Central corneal thickness fell significantly (P < 0.0001) in treated eyes but not in control eyes (P = 0.18); mean central corneal thickness reduction was 12.29 ± 13.65 μm in treated eyes and 1.17 ± 8.75 μm in controls. Among treated eyes, central corneal thickness reduction was significant (P < 0.0001) in those treated with either prostaglandins or a combination of prostaglandin and beta-blockers, while no significant reduction occurred in eyes treated with only beta-blockers (P = 0.15) when compared with control eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prostaglandins appear to be associated with a small but significant central corneal thickness reduction over time. Serial central corneal thickness measurements might be helpful in glaucoma patients, particularly those on prostaglandins.
authors.affiliation: Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Stuart L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D057066:Low Tension Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic