Intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy of latanoprost in patients with normal-tension glaucoma or primary open-angle glaucoma

We investigated the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering potential of latanoprost in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This prospective study included 59 NTG and 20 POAG patients treated with the following four dosing regimens of latanoprost: patients on no previous medication received latanoprost as initial therapy (Group I, n=31), patients on beta-blocker therapy received latanoprost as adjunctive therapy (Group II, n=9), patients on unoprostone monotherapy were switched to latanoprost monotherapy (Group III, n=14), and patients previously on dual therapy with isopropyl unoprostone and beta-blocker were switched to a combined treatment of latanoprost and beta-blocker (Group TV, n=25). IOP significantly decreased 8 weeks after initiation of latanoprost therapy by 19.9% in Group I, 20.5% in Group II, 16.6% in Group III, and 12.2% in Group IV. In Groups I and II, there was a significant positive correlation between the magnitude of IOP reduction induced by latanoprost and the IOP level before latanoprost therapy. The IOP level before latanoprost therapy is a contributing factor in the IOP-lowering efficacy of latanoprost. Latanoprost is more effective in lowering IOP than isopropyl unoprostone.