title: [Efficacy and tolerability of preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015 % in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and local tolerability of preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015% (Taflotan®) in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentric, prospective observation study was performed in the Czech Republic from October 2010 to April 2011. A total of 78 centers participated and 754 patients were included. After the doctors decision to start the treatment with Taflotan®, the patients demographic data, previous treatment, intraocular pressure and the reason for switching the medication were recorded. At the follow-up visit after 6-12 weeks, the intraocular pressure, local tolerability (a 5-level scale), the patients and doctors satisfaction (a 4-level scale), and the patients preference were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether, data of 496 patients were evaluated. The majority of them were women (64.9 %). The patients mean age was 58.5 years. The most common diagnosis was primary open angle glaucoma (79.2 %), followed by ocular hypertension (7.3 %), normal tension glaucoma (4.2 %), and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (3.6 %). In 140 patients, tafluprost 0.0015% was the first antiglaucomatous medication started, 261 patients switched from another monotherapy, and 95 patients were treated with fixed- or nonfixed combinations before starting tafluprost 0.0015%. The most common reason for switching to Taflotan® was local intolerability to the current antiglaucomatous therapy (most often irritation of the eye and hyperemia). The intraocular pressure decreased significantly from 19.9 ± 4.5 mm Hg to 16.3 ± 3.0 mm Hg (p < 0.001). The subjective tolerability of the antiglaucomatous therapy improved rapidly, with 57.4 % of patients rating the tolerability of Taflotan® as "very good" and 34.5 % as "good". In addition, 94.4 % of patients and 96.0 % of ophthalmologists were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the treatment. At the final visit, 79.8 % of patients preferred Taflotan® to the previous treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taflotan® significantly decreased the intraocular pressure. It was well tolerated even in patients with previous intolerability to another antiglaucomatous therapy, including prostaglandins. The patients and ophthalmologists satisfaction with Taflotan® was high.
authors.affiliation: Ocní Klinika LF UP a FN, Olomouc Prednosta Doc. MUDr. Jirí Rehák. marta.karhanova@fnol.cz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karhanová
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mlčák
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fryšák
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marešová
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic; C485333:tafluprost