ABSTRACT
Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven method currently available to reduce the risk for glaucomatous visual field loss. In recent years significant advances have been achieved in the development of topical glaucoma medications.These medications are being used more commonly as there is an increasing trend by ophthalmologists to aggressively lower IOP. Among the currently utilized IOP lowering agents, prostaglandin analogs (that is, latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost) are the most potent.1 Topical administration of latanoprost 0.005%, bimatoprost 0.03%, and travoprost 0.004% solutions is as or more effective in lowering IOP than the traditional first-line agent and reference standard, timolol 0.5%.2-6
Latanoprost (Xalatan®) is approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan as a topically applied first-line treatment in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Studies have confirmed that a single drop of latanoprost 0.005% solution (approximately 1.5 lg) administered topically once daily effectively reduces diurnal IOP by 20% to 40%. The IOP-lowering effects of a single dose of latanoprost last up to 24 hours thereby allowing for a convenient once-daily dosing regimen. Numerous studies have evaluated the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, tolerability, and safety of latanoprost as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
