Tafluprost in patients with moderate- and advanced-stage primary open-angle glaucoma
O.I. Borzunov, S.A. Korotkih

Ural State Medical University, Ekaterinburg

Abstract
Background. Recently there is a growing evidence of prostaglandin analogues usage as the first-line therapy for ocular hypertension and glaucoma. As IOP-lowering agents are used for a long time or for a lifetime, their tolerability should be carefully examined to predict side effects of these topical medications.

The aim of this open-label prospective randomized 1-month clinical trial was a comparative analysis of IOP-lowering efficacy and tolerability of preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015% (Taflotan®, Santen Oy, Finland) and latanoprost 0.005% preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in patients with moderate- and advanced-stage primary open-angle glaucoma.

Materials and Methods: patients with moderate- or advanced-stage primary open-angle glaucoma were divided into 2 groups: study group– 32 patients who received tafluprost 0.0015% once in the evening; control group – 31 patients (received Latanoprost 0.005% with BAK 0.02% once in the evening). In 2 and 4 weeks after start of treatment IOP control, optical coherence tomography of optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer, standard automated perimetry (program 30-2) were performed. Drugs tolerability, tear film production and tear film break-up time were assessed.

Results: in 4 weeks comparable and adequate IOP-lowering efficacy of both drugs was registered. Patients treated with preservative-free tafluprost in 93.7% reported no ocular discomfort, burning, itching, red eyes, foreign body sensation. In BAK-preserved latanoprost group no complaints recorded in 22.6% of patients.

Conclusion: tafluprost and latanoprost showed comparable IOP-lowering efficacy in patients with moderate- and advanced-stage primary open-angle glaucoma. Preservative-free tafluprost is characterized by better tolerability profile that may contribute to better compliance and play important role in the choice of long-term glaucoma treatment.

Keywords: primary open-angle glaucoma, Latanoprost, Tafluprost, IOP-lowering efficacy, tolerability.

For citation: O.I. Borzunov, S.A. Korotkih. Tafluprost in patients with moderate- and advanced-stage primary open-angle glaucoma. // RMJ. Clinical ophthalomology. 2015. № 4. P. 176–180.