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Central corneal thickness in glaucoma patients lower with use of prostaglandins
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Central corneal thickness was reduced in glaucomatous eyes treated with prostaglandins alone or with combined beta blockers, prostaglandins and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, according to a poster presented here at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.
A total of 405 eyes with ocular hypertension, suspected glaucoma, perimetric glaucoma or no glaucoma were followed with standard automated perimetry, 24-hour IOP profile, optic disc photography and optical coherence pachymetry (Heidelberg Engineering) in a trial evaluating diagnostic and prognostic validity of morphometric, sensory and hemodynamic diagnostic procedures in glaucomatous eyes.
“The prostaglandins resulted in reduction in central corneal thickness (CCT) over time, so it is crucial to do some CCT measurements. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) resulted in an increase in CCT, and this combination therapy [beta blockers, prostaglandins and CAI] resulted in the most pronounced decrease of CCT, but the effects are not dramatic,” Wolfgang A. Schrems, MD, told Ocular Surgery News.
Eyes treated with prostaglandins resulted in a decrease in CCT of –4.9 µm a year, while eyes treated with only CAI increased by +6.5 µm a year.
No statistically significant change was seen either in untreated eyes or in eyes treated with beta blocker alone, beta blocker with CAI or prostaglandin with CAI.
“Follow-up IOP measurements may be underestimated for eyes treated with beta blockers, prostaglandins and CAI and overestimated for those treated with CAI if CCT is not measured on a regular basis,” Schrems and colleagues said in the poster.
Disclosure: Schrems has no relevant financial disclosures.