Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term follow-up of patients who were
changed to latanoprost from previous glaucoma therapies. Methods: Primary open-angle,
exfoliative or chronic angle-closure glaucoma, or ocular hypertensive patients who switched
to latanoprost therapy with a 2-year follow-up, were evaluated for efficacy, safety, and continuance
of therapy. Results: In 1,571 patients, the intraocular pressure (IOP) across all
treatment groups of 21.3 ± 4.1 was reduced to 17.6 ± 3.2 mm Hg after switching to
latanoprost. Latanoprost reduced the IOP from previous monotherapies, including nonselective
beta-adrenergic blockers, topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha-adrenergic
agonists and pilocarpine (p < 0.0001) and adjunctive therapies, including the fixed combinations
of dorzolamide and timolol, pilocarpine and timolol, and pilocarpine and metipranolol,
and the unfixed combination of dorzolamide and timolol and dorzolamide and clonidine
(p < 0.0028). Latanoprost further reduced the IOP across all diagnostic groups (p <
0.0001). The most common ocular adverse event was ocular irritation (n = 25; 1.6%),
which was also the most common reason given for patients who discontinued latanoprost
because of an adverse event (n = 20; 1.3%). Conclusions: The mean IOP was maintained
at an acceptable level throughout the 2-year follow-up period on latanoprost. Latanoprost
generally provides further reduction of IOP when switched from previous mono- and adjunctive
therapies, with a low rate of side effects and discontinuations.
