Abstract
Purpose :
The prostaglandin analog latanoprost decreases intraocular pressure and inhibits the development of form-deprivation myopia in guinea pigs, suggesting a role in myopia control. The aim of this study was to determine whether latanoprost alters the development of lens-induced myopia in rhesus monkeys.
Methods :
Starting at age 3 weeks, monkeys (Lat -3D, n = 6) were reared with -3D lenses over their treated eyes and plano lenses over their fellow eyes, and one drop of 0.005% latanoprost was instilled in both eyes once daily until the end of lens wear (136.0 ± 2.0 days). The eye’s refractive status, axial dimensions, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed periodically throughout the treatment period. Latanoprost monkeys were compared to age-matched control monkeys reared with the same negative-lens paradigm (Con -3D, n = 18). IOP was compared to age-matched normal controls reared with unrestricted vision (NCon, n = 4).
Results :
In contrast to the -3D controls, the -3D latanoprost monkeys failed to develop compensating myopic anisometropias (mean end-of-treatment anisometropia ± SD: Lat -3D = 0.00D ± 1.76 vs Con -3D = -2.02D ± 0.97, p = 0.002). In addition, both the treated (median spherical equivalent (SE): Lat -3D = +5.750D vs Con -3D = +0.281, p = 0.0056) and fellow eyes of the latanoprost monkeys were more hyperopic than those of the lens-reared controls (median SE: Lat -3D = +4.440D vs Con -3D = +2.656, p = 0.0303). The between-group differences in refractive error were associated with corresponding differences in vitreous chamber depth (Treated eye: Lat -3D = 9.47mm ± 0.38 vs Con -3D = 10.39mm ± 0.54, p = 0.001; untreated eye: Lat -3D = 9.38mm ± 0.29 vs Con = -3D 10.00mm ± 0.48, p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the IOPs between latanoprost-treated eyes and normal control eyes (mean IOP: Lat = 10.81 mmHg ± 2.40 vs NCon = 9.79 mmHg ± 1.44, p = 0.473).
Conclusions :
These data show that daily administration of latanoprost prevents lens-compensating myopia and produces hyperopic shifts in infant rhesus monkeys by retarding axial elongation. Interestingly, intraocular pressure was not affected in these infant monkeys. Overall, the results suggest that latanoprost has potential as a myopia control agent in young eyes.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.