Abstract
Purpose::
To assess the rate of flare ups of uveitis pre and post treatment with bimatoprost in patients diagnosed with uveitic glaucoma. We also assessed the efficacy of bimatoprost in the reduction of the intraocular pressure.
Methods::
Review of the records of patients with uveitic glaucoma selected from the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute (MERSI) . We included all 29 patients with history of uveitic glaucoma treated with bimatoprost at 0.03%, one drop at bed time. Bimatoprost was used as monotherapy, replacement therapy or adjunctive therapy.The rate of uveitis flare ups were calculated and expressed in 100 person-years. Intraocular pressure analysis pre and post bimatoprost therapy was calculated using a paired student’s T-test.
Results::
Twenty-nine patients (forty eyes) were analyzed. The mean age was 52.76 years (SD ±18.14) with a range of 14-91 years. Pre bimatoprost treatment mean intraocular pressure was 22.23 mm Hg (SD ± 10.78). Post bimatoprost intraocular pressure was 16.79 mm Hg (SD ± 6.86). The difference between pre and post treatment pressure was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0008 (paired T-test).Uveitis flare up rate prior to bimatoprost was 69 flare ups per 100 person-year of follow up. The flare up rate after the addition of bimatoprost was 55 flare ups per 100 person year of follow up. The difference between both rates was not statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.20 (paired T-test).
Conclusions::
Our data suggest that bimatoprost does not increase the flare up rate in patients with uveitis and is effective in lowering the intraocular pressure in this group of patients with uveitic glaucoma. Our data analysis also suggests that there is no worsening of uveitis when bimatoprost is initiated in patients with active ocular inflammation and that bimatoprost therapy is not associated with any increased likelihood of uveitis recurrence when employed in the care of patients with uveitic glaucoma.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • inflammation