A randomized crossover study comparing tafluprost 0.005% with travoprost 0.004% in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

Abstract

Takanori Mizoguchi,1 Mineo Ozaki,2 Kazuhiko Unoki,3 Yoshinori Dake,4 Takahiko Eto,5 Miki Arai61Mizoguchi Eye Clinic, 2Ozaki Eye Clinic, Miyazaki, Japan; 3Unoki Eye Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan; 4Dake Eye Clinic, Nagasaki, Japan; 5Eto Eye Clinic, Oita, Japan; 6Arai Eye Clinic, Fukuoka, JapanPurpose: We compared the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of tafluprost 0.0015% once daily with travoprost 0.004% once daily in Japanese patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).Methods: One hundred sixteen patients with NTG were randomized to use tafluprost 0.0015% or travoprost 0.004% once daily for 12 weeks, followed by a washout period of 4 weeks between switching medications. IOP was measured at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of each treatment period.Results: Ninety patients completed both treatment periods and had IOP data available for evaluation. In both groups, a significant decrease in IOP was observed for all measurement points compared with baseline values (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in IOP at each time point between the two groups. Both drugs were effective (defined as more than 10% IOP reduction) in 39 (43%) of 90 patients; only tafluprost was effective in 26 (29%) patients, and only travoprost was effective in 17 (19%) patients. Eight (9%) patients were nonresponders to both drugs.Conclusions: Tafluprost and travoprost were equally effective in lowering IOP in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. However, patients with normal-tension glaucoma may vary in response to each medication.Keywords: intraocular pressure reduction, normal-tension glaucoma, responder, tafluprost 0.005%, travoprost 0.004%