Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Histological changes of collagen and extracellular matrix after latanoprost application have been reported. We investigated the impact of PGF2alpha agonists on the central corneal thickness. Methods: 403 eyes from 208 patients were examined: 147 eyes (controls) and 79 with ocular hypertension (OHT), 119 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma and 58 eyes with normal tension glaucoma. IOP (Goldmann), central corneal thickness (CCT, ultrasound pachymetry using the Tomey AL 2000, 5 measurements, SD < 3 microns), corneal curvature (ZEISS ophthalmometer),) glaucoma stage using the morphological classification according to Jonas were recorded. The following groups were defined depending on topical treatment: Xalatan/Travatan (n=78), Azopt/Trusopt (n=26), combination of Azopt/Xalatan (n=41), no Xalatan/Azopt (n=258). GEE-statistical analysis was used to adjust for dependency of left and right eye from the same subject. Results: No correlation was found between CCT and glaucoma/non glaucoma/OHT, central corneal power, gender and IOP in a multivariate analysis. CCT was decreased significantly (p<0.01) in eyes treated with PGF2alpha-agonists (529 ± 34 mm) in comparison with the untreated and nonglaucomatous eyes (542 ± 36 mm), untreated glaucomatous eyes (563 ± 37 mm), Azopt/Trusopt treated eyes (557 ± 27 mm) and eyes treated with a combination of PG F2alpha-agonists and Azopt/Trusopt (555 ± 48 mm). Conclusions: Latanoprost/Travoprost seemed to reduce the central corneal thickness. Effects on the MMP's and the collagen fibers were observed. Artificial underestimation of the IOP could be caused by corneal thinning under Latanoprost/Travoprost treatment. The effect of PGF2alpha therapy on corneal rigidity has to be investigated in the future/in future studies.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: bio • cornea: clinical science • pharmacology