Latanoprost - Two years' experience of its use in the United Kingdom

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of latanoprost in the long-term treatment of glaucoma. Design: The study was designed as a randomized, 6-month double-masked parallel group, multicenter study comparing latanoprost with timolol followed by an 18-month open-label, multicenter study in which all patients were treated with latanoprost. Participants: In total, 277 patients were treated with latanoprost for up to 24 months, Intervention: For the first 6 months of treatment, latanoprost (0.005%) administered once daily was compared with timolol (0.5%) administered twice daily. Patients then received latanoprost (once daily) for an 18-month followup period regardless of their initial treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured over the 24-month treatment period, and any ocular-systemic symptoms or adverse events were evaluated. Results: Latanoprost significantly reduced (P < 0.001) IOP by approximately 8 mmHg from pretreatment values, and this reduction was maintained over the 24-month treatment period with no sign of upward drift. Latanoprost is apparently free of any systemic side effect. The most significant ocular side effect with latanoprost was an increase in iris pigmentation, which occurred in 51 patients, Conclusions: Latanoprost, administered once daily, is effective and well tolerated for the long-term treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.