Are preservatives necessary to improve efficacy of some glaucoma drops?

Long-term Follow-up of Patients receiving Intraocular Pressure-lowering Medications as Cataract Surgery Candidates: A Case-control Study

AIM

In this study, we reviewed demographics and biometric characteristics among patients receiving chronic β-blockers and prostaglandins (PGs) for primary open-angle glaucoma. We compared the age at the time of cataract surgery in different patient groups and in a control group which was not under any medication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of glau-comatous patients who underwent cataract extraction at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between January 1998 and December 2016 was done. Age at cataract surgery, axial length (AL), and preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were recorded. A cohort of patients without glaucoma who were operated for cataract extraction was also evaluated.

RESULTS

In all, 320 patients were reviewed. There were significant results in mean age difference between the beta-antagonist and the PG group [3.05 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-4.57] and between the beta-antagonist group with the patients receiving a combined therapy (3.02 years, 95% CI 1.14-4.91). No significant difference was found between the PG and the combination group. All the three treated groups had a significant lower mean age than the control group at the time of cataract surgery.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, we concluded that there might be a possible association between chronic treatment with beta-antagonist agents and earlier cataract surgical time in the treated eye.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Intraocular pressure control is often usually achieved using ophthalmic agents. Their topical and systemic effects should be monitored precisely. Earlier cataract formation might be an important side effect which the physician has to keep in mind before choosing the suitable medication.How to cite this article: Bontzos G, Agiorgiotakis M, Detorakis ET. Long-term Follow-up of Patients receiving Intraocular Pressure-lowering Medications as Cataract Surgery Candidates: A Case-control Study. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017;11(3):107-112.

Tafluprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.0015 %: A Review in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) 0.001 % is available in several Asian countries, including Japan. In pivotal trials, BAK-preserved tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) more effectively than placebo in Asian patients with normal-tension glaucoma and was at least as effective as latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005 % in Asian patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In other prospective studies in Asian patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was at least as effective as latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005 % or travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004 % in terms of IOP lowering, and was considered easier to use and/or store. The efficacy of tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was maintained in the longer term. Tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, BAK-preserved tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % remains a useful option for the treatment of Asian patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.