Long-term Results of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty versus Latanoprost or Dorzolamide/Timolol Fixed Combination

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients treated with either latanoprost or dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC) for primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: This retrospective study included 92 consecutive patients who underwent a 180-degree SLT for the first time. The subjects divided into two groups:patients who received latanoprost (n = 63) or DTFC (n = 29) before and after SLT. The main outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP) decrease over five years after SLT. The mean IOP change, mean percentage of IOP reduction, and success rates were compared between the patients treated with latanoprost and the patients treated with DTFC. Success was defined as an IOP decrease ≥ 3 mm Hg or IOP reduction ≥ 20% without additional medications, laser surgery, or glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: At the postoperative one-year follow-up, the mean IOP was 15.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg in the latanoprost group and, 16.2 ± 2.4 mm Hg in the DTFC group. At the postoperative five-year follow-up, the mean IOP was 15.1 ± 2.5 mm Hg in the latanoprost group and, 14.6 ± 1.7 mm Hg in the DTFC group. There were no statistically significant differences in IOP change, percentage IOP reduction, or success rate between the groups at each time point after the SLT (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Selective laser trabeculoplasty showed a reasonable efficacy in lowering the IOP over a five-year follow-up period. There were no significant differences in IOP lowering effect or success rate between the patients treated with latanoprost or DTFC.

Adherence to Preservative-Free Dorzolamide/Timolol Fixed Combination Assessed by Counting the Unused Single-Dose Units

PURPOSE: To investigate the actual adherence to treatment with preservative-free dorzolamide-timolol fixed combination (DTFC) eyedrops of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients by counting the number of unused single-dose units of DTFC. METHODS: This study included 34 POAG patients newly prescribed with preservative-free DTFC eyedrops (formulated in single-dose units). The enrolled patients were asked to bring the unused DTFC units on their next visit after 2 weeks of treatment with DTFC. On their second visit, they were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the self-reported adherence and the number of unused DTFC single-dose units was counted. The actual adherence (%) was calculated by dividing the expected number of used DTFC units by the actual number of used DTFC units. The correlation between the self-reported adherence and the measured adherence was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (93.5%) patients answered they adhered to the medication by more than 90% and 2 (6.5%) answered they instilled the eyedrops at 80-90% of the dosing schedule. However, after counting the unused DTFC single-dose units, 9 (29.0%) patients showed an actual adherence of <90%. Moreover, the actual adherence of 3 (9.7%) patients was <60%. Unexpectedly, 4 (12.9%) patients showed the actual adherence exceeding 100% (196%, 1 patient; 107-132%, 3 patients). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated a large difference between the self-reported and the actual adherence to treatment by counting the unused single-dose units of eyedrops. Preservative-free topical anti-glaucoma medications (formulated in single-dose units) provide clinicians an opportunity to assess the actual adherence of glaucoma patients by counting the unused units of eyedrops.

Comparison of Dorzolamide-Timolol Fixed Combination and Latanoprost, Effects on Intraocular Pressure and Ocular Pulse Amplitude

PURPOSE: To compare dorzolamide-timolol fixed combination (DTFC) and latanoprost with regard to their effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA). METHODS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients with open angle glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were included in the present study. Patients were divided into 2 groups, DTFC-treated (n = 30) and latanoprost-treated (n = 30). IOP and OPA were measured with dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), before and at least 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: GAT IOP, DCT IOP and OPA decreased by 2.25 +/- 2.23 mm Hg, 1.97 +/- 2.06 mm Hg, and 0.14 +/- 0.88 mm Hg, respectively in the DTFC-treated group. In the latanoprost-treated group, GAT IOP, DCT IOP and OPA was reduced by 2.74 +/- 2.96 mm Hg, 2.06 +/- 3.50 mm Hg, and 0.69 +/- 1.07 mm Hg, respectively. There was no significant difference (p = 0.311) in the decline of IOP between the 2 groups, but OPA of the DTFC-treated group decreased less than the latanoprost-treated group (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed in the short-term decline of IOP between the 2 medications. However, the influence of DTFC on OPA appeared negligible in the latanoprost-treated group.