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Abstract #18372 Published in IGR 3-3
Ocular surface changes induced by topical application of latanoprost and timolol: a short-term study in glaucomatous patients with and without allergic conjunctivitis
Costagliola C; Del Prete A; Incorvaia C; Fusco R; Parmeggiani F; Di Giovanni AGraefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2001; 239: 809-814
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the conjunctival effects of latanoprost and timolol, both of which contain benzalkonium chloride, in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG, with and without a history of allergic conjunctivitis (AC). METHODS: Two groups of 25 patients with an without a positive history of AC were studied. After a 21-day wash-out period, patients were randomized to 14 days treatment with latanoprost or with timolol, in a cross-over fashion. The following parameters were evaluated on Days 0 and 14: number of white blood cells, ferning test, conjunctival impression cytology, subjective symptoms, and objective ocular changes. RESULTS: Latanoprost caused: (a) an increase in eosinophils in both groups and a reduction in lymphocytes in the group with a history of AC only; (b) alterations in ferning test and impression cytology in AC patients only; and (c) development of subjective symptoms and objective signs in non-AC glaucomatous subjects only. Timolol therapy was responsible for the occurrence of subjective symptoms and objective signs in non-AC patients only. CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost treatment induces ocular surfaces changes which are more evident in POAG patients who are also affected by AC. These findings are probably related to the very high latanoprost concentration of benzalkonium chloride and to its bedtime administration, which further amplifies the toxicity.
Dr C. Costagliola, Eye Clinic, Dipartimento di Discipline Medico-Chirurgiche della Communicazione e del Comportamento, Université degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Giovecca 203, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. costaciro@libero.it
Classification:
11.3.4 Betablocker (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)
