The effect on intraocular pressure of latanoprost once or four times daily

To compare the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of latanoprost applied once daily with four times daily and to study if the difference persisted when treatment changed to once daily.

IOP was followed in 28 healthy volunteers in a double masked randomised 52 day study. Latanoprost 50 microg/ml was administered once daily in one eye and four times daily in the other during 2 weeks. Subsequently both eyes received one daily drop for 2 weeks. After another 3 weeks without treatment, a single drop was instilled in each eye.

The IOP reduction on days 2 and 3 was greater in the eyes treated with four daily doses (p<0.01). During the following period there were no statistically significant differences between the eyes. After 3 weeks without treatment the IOP was lower than pretreatment (p<0.001). A single dose of latanoprost on day 50 resulted in a similar decrease in IOP in both eyes. Transient photophobia, mild flare, and/or a few cells occurred in 15 subjects. Two subjects were withdrawn because of photophobia and/or signs of anterior uveitis.

Latanoprost four times daily caused an IOP reducing effect which was similar to once daily dosing, except for the first 2 days of treatment when it was more effective. Transient photophobia, cells, and flare were common during the four dose regimen, but resolved spontaneously without cessation of treatment.