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Reduced incidence of SPK seen with newer travoprost preservative
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Patients with chronic superficial punctate keratitis demonstrated improvement after switching from benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost to SofZia-preserved travoprost, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Glaucoma.
Aihara and colleagues conducted a controlled, prospective, comparative, multicenter, randomized, open-label, follow-up study over the course of 3 months to compare the two medications.
They recruited 56 patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who had chronic superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) in both eyes and that had only been taking benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-preserved latanoprost (Xalatan 0.005%, Pfizer) for at least 3 months. Researchers randomly chose one eye in each patient to switch to travoprost preserved with SofZia (Travatan Z 0.004%, Alcon). Participants continued use of BAK-preserved latanoprost in their other eye.
Researchers assessed conjunctival hyperemia, tear break-up time, intraocular pressure and SPK at baseline, 1 month and 3 months and compared these measurements both within and between the two groups.
Results showed that at both 1 month and 3 months, the SPK score was significantly lower in the SofZia-preserved travoprost group compared to the BAK-preserved latanoprost group.
Researchers also noted that, specifically, Travatan Z significantly improved SPK in the central area of the cornea when compared to Xalatan.
"This suggests that SPK in the central area had deteriorated with use of the BAK-preserved eye drops," the authors explained. "In the intragroup comparison before and after switching from Xalatan to Travatan Z solution, Travatan Z reduced the SPK scores of the central, nasal, temporal and inferior corneal regions assessed from baseline. The difference in superior SPK score from baseline to 3 months with Travatan Z was almost 0; this suggests that Travatan Z does not negatively affect the ocular surface." – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes
Disclosures: Aihara is a consultant for Hoya and received compensation from Alcon for his work drafting the manuscript, as well as lecture fees from Alcon, Santen, Pfizer, Kowa, Senju, MSD, Otsuka, R-Tech Ueno and Nitten. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors' relevant financial disclosures.
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