Comparing Dry Eye and Infection Rates in Glaucoma Patients Treated with Different Eye Drops
Author Information
Author(s): Gail F Schwartz, Sameer Kotak, Jack Mardekian, Joel M Fain
Primary Institution: Glaucoma Consultants, Greater Baltimore Medical Center; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University; Pfizer Inc
Hypothesis
Do different preservative formulations in glaucoma medications affect the incidence of dry eye and ocular infections?
Conclusion
Patients treated with latanoprost or travoprost-Z did not show significant differences in the rates of dry eye, ocular infection, or ocular surface disease in the first year.
Supporting Evidence
- 15,933 patients were treated with latanoprost and 7,670 with travoprost-Z.
- 4.3% of latanoprost patients and 4.5% of travoprost-Z patients developed dry eye.
- 10.9% of latanoprost patients and 11.1% of travoprost-Z patients developed ocular infections.
- The incidence of ocular surface disease was similar across both treatments.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients using two types of eye drops for glaucoma and found that neither caused more dry eyes or infections than the other.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of three U.S.-based medical/pharmacy claims databases.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to nonrandomization and reliance on claims data.
Limitations
The study was retrospective and not randomized, and it could not account for over-the-counter product use.
Participant Demographics
Patients included were those with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, with a mean age of approximately 67 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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