October 31, 2012

Longitudinal effect of topical antiglaucoma medications on central corneal thickness

Author(s): Viswanathan D, Goldberg I, Graham SL

Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

BACKGROUND: To determine the change in central corneal thickness (CCT) over time and whether use of long term topical antiglaucoma medications influences CCT.

DESIGN: Case control study with retrospective and prospective data collection

PARTICIPANTS: 187 eyes of 187 glaucoma patients (mean follow up 6.92 ± 1.67 years) being treated with topical antiglaucoma medications (at least 3 years) with no history of surgery or laser were included and compared with 100 eyes of 100 age matched untreated control subjects (mean follow up 6.58 ± 1.93 years) who were glaucoma suspects with normal intraocular pressure (IOP) not on any treatment.

METHODS: Demographic data, CCT and IOP were collected at initial glaucoma diagnosis and at most recent visit and findings were compared between two groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean change in CCT in microns (μm)

RESULTS: CCT fell significantly (p < 0.0001) in treated eyes but not in control eyes (p = 0.18) , mean CCT reduction was 12.29 ± 13.65 μm in treated eyes and 1.17 ± 8.75 μm in controls. Amongst treated eyes, CCT reduction was significant (p < 0.0001) in those treated with either prostaglandins or a combination of prostaglandin and betablockers, while no significant reduction occurred in eyes treated with only betablockers ( p = 0.15) when compared with control eyes.

CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandins appear to be associated with a small but significant CCT reduction over time. Serial CCT measurements might be helpful in glaucoma patients, particularly those on prostaglandins.

Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2012 Sep 7. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2012.02870.x.

PMID: 22958109
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22958109

Clinical Paper of the Month manager: Andreas Boehm