Original Article

The Effect of Travoprost 0,004% and Bimatoprost 0,03% on Ocular Surface

  • Tuncay Küsbeci
  • Faruk Öztürk
  • Güliz Yavaş
  • Fatma Aktepe
  • S. Samet Ermiş
  • Ümit Übeyt İnan

Turk J Ophthalmol 2007;37(5):359-366

Purpose:

To determine the effect of the usage of travoprost %0,004 and bimatoprost %0,03 on ocular surface in patient with primer open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods:

Seventy eight patients with POAG were enrolled into the study. Fourty four patients were started travoprost 0,004 %, thirty four patients were started brimonidine 0,03%. Routin ophthalmic examination was performed before and after treatment at first week, first month, thirth month and sixth month. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry. Schirmer and break up time (BUT) tests were performed in all examinations. Conjonctival cytology was taken from right eyes with brush cytology technic before treatment and was repeated approximately after treatment sixth month. Specimens were graded according to Nelson’s classification of squamous metaplasia state of epithelial cells. Goblet cell density was also evaluated before and after treatment at six month.

Results:

The mean IOP was 21,4±1,5 mmHg before treatment and 15,4±1,6 mmHg after treatment at six month in travoprost group (p

Conclusions:

The decrease in IOP with the use of both travoprost and bimatoprost was statisticaly significant. This study showed that travoprost and brimonidine can have adverse effects on ocular surface and may give rise to dry eye symptoms.

Keywords: Primer open angle glaucoma, ocular surface, travoprost, bimatoprost