title: Decreased keratocyte density and central corneal thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma patients undergoing treatment with topical prostaglandin analogues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether prostaglandin (PG) analogue use is associated with alterations in keratocyte density and central corneal thickness (CCT) in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five POAG patients treated with PG analogues for >2 years and 35 control subjects without glaucoma were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were underwent CCT measurements using ultrasound pachymetry. Keratocyte densities of each stromal layer were determined by in vivo confocal microscopy. Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical evaluations. Correlations between keratocyte densities and CCT were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Keratocyte densities in each stromal layer were significantly lower in glaucoma patients receiving PG analogues as compared to those of controls (P < 0.001). The mean CCT was also lower in glaucoma patients (515.2 ± 18.8 μ) than control subjects (549.6 ± 21.1 μ, P < 0.001). A positive correlation between keratocyte densities in each stromal layer and CCT was observed in POAG patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term administration of topical PG analogues may adversely influence keratocyte densities and CCT. Further prospective studies are required clarify the relationship between PG analogues and their effects on the cornea.
authors: Sibel
authors: S
authors: Kocabeyoglu
authors: Mehmet C
authors: MC
authors: Mocan
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Irkec
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D060527:Corneal Keratocytes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006068:Gonioscopy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic