Efficacy and safety of latanoprost eye drops for glaucoma treatment: A 1-year study in Japan

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and saf ety of latanoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, in patients with primary open -angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Method: One hundred and twenty-four Japanese patients with primary open-ang le glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled in this open-labeled study and were treated with 0.005% latanoprost once daily for 1 year. Results: At all follow-up visits there was a significant (P < .001) reducti on in IOP compared with the baseline value. After 1 year, the IOP was reduc ed by 5.4 +/- 2.9 (mean +/- SD) mm Hg from a baseline value of 23.5) 2.2 mm Hg. No evidence of an upward drift in the IOP was observed during the trea tment period. The most frequently reported adverse ocular events were mild conjunctival hyperemia and iris pigmentation. Very few adverse systemic eve nts were observed. Conclusions: Latanoprost eye drops showed a marked and stable IOP-lowering effect during the 1-year treatment period. Furthermore, latanoprost was wel l-tolerated and should be a valuable contribution to the management of glau coma. (C) 2000 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.