Punctal plug drug delivery system significantly reduces IOP up to 4 weeks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — QLT reported encouraging 4-week safety and efficacy results for the latanoprost punctal plug delivery system in patients with ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma, according to a news release from the company.

The phase 2 clinical trial included 95 patients who received simultaneous placement of plugs in the upper and lower puncta with a total of 141 µg of latanoprost.

Mean baseline IOP was 25.8 mm Hg, the release said.

Two-week results showed a mean reduction in IOP from baseline of 6.2 mm Hg (24.3%); the change was statistically significant. IOP was reduced 5 mm Hg or more in 73% of patients and 6 mm Hg or more in 51% of patients at 2 weeks.

Four-week results showed a mean reduction in IOP of 5.7 mm Hg (22.3%). The change was statistically significant. IOP was reduced 5 mm Hg or more in 60% of patients and 6 mm Hg or more in 47% of patients.

"Most if not all glaucoma specialists would agree that eye pressure lowering should be taken out of the patients' hands and left in the hands of the physician," Alan L. Robin, MD, OSN Glaucoma Board Member, said in the release. "Adherence no longer becomes a factor in preventing the development of needless blindness. Additionally, the procedure appears to be relatively safe, minimally invasive and simple to perform."

Treatment was well-tolerated and resulted in minimal adverse events, the most common of which was tearing, the release said.