title: Comparison of corneal safety and intraocular pressure-lowering effect of tafluprost ophthalmic solution with other prostaglandin ophthalmic solutions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The benzalkonium chloride (BAK) content of tafluprost ophthalmic solution (Tapros(®): tafluprost) has been reduced to balance corneal safety and preservative effectiveness (old formulation: 0.01%; new formulation: 0.001%). However, no reports have been published on its clinical effect. Therefore, we conducted a clinical research study to compare the safety of BAK-reduced tafluprost on the ocular surface with other prostaglandin ophthalmic solutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinical study included 28 glaucoma patients (28 eyes) with a treatment history of latanoprost ophthalmic solution (Xalatan(®)) or travoprost ophthalmic solution (Travatan Z(®)), who presented with corneal epithelial disorders. The subjects were switched to BAK-reduced tafluprost, and its effect on the ocular surface was examined after 1 and 2 months of treatment [using fluorescein staining score, hyperemia, tear film breakup time, and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering].
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all analyzed subjects (N=27), the fluorescein staining score was significantly improved after switching to BAK-reduced tafluprost (P<0.0001). Conversely, the IOP-lowering effect was not notably changed. The subjects switched from latanoprost (n=10) showed significant improvement in fluorescein staining score (P<0.05) as well as in IOP lowering (P<0.01). The subjects switched from travoprost (n=17) also showed significant improvement in fluorescein staining score (P<0.001), but without a significant change in IOP lowering.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tafluprost with reduced BAK has potential as a superior antiglaucoma drug, not only for its IOP-lowering effect, but also for its good corneal safety profile.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan .
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagami
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wakiyama
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusano
authors.forename: Ayano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kajiyama
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uematsu
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuma
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitaoka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069557:Travoprost
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; C485333:tafluprost; D003008:Cloprostenol; D000077338:Latanoprost; D000069557:Travoprost