Latanoprost in glaucoma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome: Benefits and side-effects

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the ocular hypotensive effica cy, safety, and side effects of latanoprost 0.005% administered as adjuncti ve therapy in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) and glaucoma. Methods: Commercially available latanoprost 0.005% was added as a single dr op once daily to other antiglaucoma medications. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. A successful response was defined as a reduction of at least 20% in IOP at the final follow-up evalu ation without additional medical or surgical therapy and no adverse events related to latanoprost. Results: 18 eyes of 18 patients with SWS and glaucoma were enrolled from 9 clinical centers. Mean baseline IOP was 28.4 +/- 7.1 mmHg (range, 17-42 mmH g). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, a successful response to latanoprost was o bserved in 3 of 18 (16.7%) patients at the 6-month interval. Seven (38.9%) patients required surgery; three (16.7%) patients required additional medic al therapy, seven (38.9%) patients had no change in therapy. One (5.6%) pat ient discontinued latanoprost treatment because of intolerable conjunctival hyperemia. Two successfully treated patients had significantly greater epi scleral vessel engorgement after initiation of latanoprost therapy. Conclusion: Patients with SWS and glaucoma respond poorly to adjunctive lat anoprost therapy and often require additional medical or surgical intervent ion. Increased episcleral vascular engorgement might result in greater oper ative risks should filtration surgery become necessary in these patients.