[Five years retrospective study of latanoprost glaucoma treatment]

The authors evaluated their five years experience with 0.005% latanoprost (Xalatan) glaucoma treatment. They monitored the latanoprost efficiency to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) and its capability to maintain the target IOP in the long term.

The group consisted of 118 patients (231 eyes) who are treated for glaucoma with latanoprost. The follow up period was at least 3 years. The patients were checked each three months and the results of the IOP measurement for the study purpose were included once a year.

The IOP before the latanoprost treatment was 23.4 +/- 5.3 mm Hg. The IOP after 1-year latanoprost treatment was 17.6 +/- 3.2 mm Hg, after 2 years 17.7 +/- 3.9 mm Hg, after 3 years 17.1 +/- 3.1 mm Hg, after 4 years 17.1 +/- 3.2 mm Hg, and after 5 years 17.6 +/- 3.8 mm Hg. The average IOP during the latanoprost treatment was 17.4 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, the average lowering of the IOP after the start of the latanoprost treatment was by 6.0 mm Hg. The IOP lowering by 30 % against the IOP value at the time of glaucoma diagnose was reached after 3 years in 82 % (189 out of 231) eyes, after 5 years in 83 % (54 out of 65) eyes.

Our five years experience confirmed, that latanoptost is a drug significantly lowering and in the long term maintaining the IOP level. As a great advantage, we appreciate the simple application and good compliance.