Latanoprost Nonresponders with Open-Angle Glaucoma in the Japanese Population

Purpose

As some patients show little response to latanoprost, one of the most powerful topical glaucoma medications, we investigated the incidence and clinical profiles of latanoprost nonresponders (LNR) in the Japanese population.

Methods

We examined 62 glaucoma patients (62 eyes) who had received only latanoprost for more than 3 months. Their mean age was 63.8 ± 1.8 years; the mean observation period was 9.7 ± 0.4 months. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, their intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured, and the IOP reduction rate (RR) and the rate of LNR, defined as RR of 10% or less, were calculated. We statistically analyzed clinical factors involved in the LNR status of our study population.

Results

At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, RR was 20.1 ± 2.0%, 18.8 ± 2.3%, 21.1 ± 2.8%, and 23.0 ± 2.6%, respectively. At the same time points, the LNR incidence was 23.1%, 28.1%, 23.5%, and 31.8%, respectively, and significantly higher in patients whose baseline IOP was less than 15?mmHg. Patient sex and age and the glaucoma type played no significant role in the LNR status.

Conclusions

The incidence of LNR in the Japanese population, including normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients, is higher than among European or American patients. Only low baseline IOP was a significant clinical factor among LNR.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:153–157 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006