Changes in intraocular pressure following a switch from latanoprost monotherapy to latanoprost/timolol fixed combination therapy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: results from a clinical practice database

Abstract

AIMS: To assess the incremental change in intraocular pressure (IOP) levels in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, insufficiently treated with topical ocular hypotensive monotherapy or combination therapy and changed to the latanoprost/timolol fixed-combination therapy (LTFC). METHODS: The glaucoma database of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary was reviewed retrospectively to identify patients > or = 18 years of age with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in at least one eye who had been switched to LTFC from a previous monotherapy or combination therapy. Ninety patients were identified, and 59 (66%) had changed to LTFC from latanoprost monotherapy (LM). The analysis focused on this subgroup because few patients were changed from any other single therapy. At least one documented patient visit following the change to LTFC was required. The within-subject difference in IOP levels (IOP on LM-IOP on LTFC) was calculated for each case, and the statistical significance of the mean change in IOP was analysed using a 2-sided Student's paired t-test with a 0.05 alpha level. RESULTS: The mean decrease in IOP after changing to LTFC from LM was 2.6 mmHg (95% confidence interval = 1.6, 3.6), from 21.4 (SD = 3.5) mmHg to 18.8 (SD = 4.2) mmHg (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: LTFC provides significant incremental IOP reduction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who require additional IOP reduction following treatment with LM.