The aim of this work is to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of preservative containing 0.0015% tafluprost and preservative-free 0.0015% tafluprost. Both preservative containing and preservative-free 0.0015% tafluprost will reduce intraocular pressure significantly. In addition, preservative-free 0.0015% tafluprost might improve tolerability of glaucoma patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
20
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is the most used preservative and is excellent for safety and stability of drug. However, it causes dry eye, corneal oedema, corneal erosion, and corneal toxicities, thus lowering the long-term tolerability for patients. A critical component when managing glaucoma patients is ensuring compliance.
Tafluprost (trade names Taflotan or Taflotan-S by Santen Pharmaceutical) is a prostaglandin analogue. It is used topically (as eye drops) to control the progression of open-angle glaucoma and in the management of ocular hypertension. In this study, tafluprost was used in all experimental group with equally concentration(0.0015%), only measured whether BAK was included or not.
The change of corneal erosion grade by preservative free 0.0015% tafluprost
Corneal erosion scales were scored according to the area of erosion. Little to no erosion was "0", erosion on 1/3 of the area of the entire cornea was "1", erosion on 2/3 of the area of the entire cornea was "2", and erosion on the entire cornea was "3"
Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 1/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 2
The change of tear break up time by preservative free 0.0015% tafluprost
Tear breakup time was checked by slit lamp exam under corneal fluorescein dye. We asked patients not to blink, and the time was counted until tear film was torn apart (seconds)
Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 1/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 2
The change of Schirmer test by preservative free 0.0015% tafluprost
For tear secretion, schirmer test paper was placed into the conjunctival sac at the point of 1/3 from lateral canthus under topical anaesthesia (5% Proparacaine HCl, Alcaine®, Alcon Laboratories Inc., TX, USA). After 5 minutes, we checked the wet height with tear (mm)
Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 1/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 2
The change of corneal erosion grade by preservative contained 0.0015% tafluprost
Corneal erosion scales were scored according to the area of erosion. Little to no erosion was "0", erosion on 1/3 of the area of the entire cornea was "1", erosion on 2/3 of the area of the entire cornea was "2", and erosion on the entire cornea was "3"
Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 2/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 1
The change of tear break up time by preservative contained 0.0015% tafluprost
Tear breakup time was checked by slit lamp exam under corneal fluorescein dye. We asked patients not to blink, and the time was counted until tear film was torn apart (seconds)
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Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 2/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 1
The change of Schirmer test by preservative contained 0.0015% tafluprost
or tear secretion, schirmer test paper was placed into the conjunctival sac at the point of 1/3 from lateral canthus under topical anaesthesia (5% Proparacaine HCl, Alcaine®, Alcon Laboratories Inc., TX, USA). After 5 minutes, we checked the wet height with tear (mm)
Time frame: after 1, 3, and 6 months using drug in group 2/ after 7, 9, and 12 months using drug in group 1