Central Corneal Thickness During Treatment With Travoprost 0.004% in Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Purpose:

Experimental studies demonstrated an alteration of corneal collagen structure by prostaglandin analogues. The possible effect of the prostaglandin F_2α analogue travoprost 0.004% on the central corneal thickness (CCT) in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients was evaluated.

Methods:

Consecutive, interventional case series. Seventy-four patients/136 eyes with glaucoma were included in the statistical analysis. All patients received travoprost 0.004% (Travatan®) once daily in one or both eyes. CCT was measured by using noncontact optical low-coherence reflectometry prior to the treatment and after 6 and 12 months.

Results:

Mean CCT of all treated eyes (n = 136) was 546.71 ± 34.63 μm at baseline, 535.14 ± 34.78 μm after 6 months, and 532.38 ± 34.18 μm after 12 months (ANOVA, P < 0.001). Ninety-five percent of all treated eyes showed a decrease of CCT. CCT reduction mainly developed within the first 6 months of the treatment period. After 12 months, a CCT reduction >30 μm occurred in 5.1% of all treated eyes. There was a significant correlation between the magnitude of corneal thinning and the initial CCT but not between corneal thinning and IOP reductions.

Conclusions:

Topical therapy with the prostaglandin derivate travoprost is accompanied by a significant reduction of CCT within one year of treatment. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the possible long-term effects of prostaglandins on the CCT of glaucoma patients.