拉坦、曲伏及比马前列素治疗青光眼的成本效用分析(英文)

目的:评估拉坦前列素,曲伏前列素和比马前列素在挪威,瑞典及丹麦(斯堪的纳维亚)治疗开角型青光眼的成本效用。方法:建立马尔可夫卫生经济学决策分析模型,评估比较前列腺素类似物的成本效用。健康状态为稳定及进展期青光眼。原发性开角型青光眼和表皮剥脱性青光眼的转换概率均由发表的医学文献数据计算所得。通过对分散遍及于各国家的45位眼科医生进行调查获得临床医疗模式。各国家的具体单位成本包括药费,就诊费,诊断及治疗费。生命质量权重值指定为视力0.50 ～0.84,时间范围为5a。所有分析均为付款人观点成本效益分析,成本结果每年降低3%。结果:在挪威和瑞典,拉坦前列素较曲伏前列素和比马前列素费用低而效益高,拉坦前列素比其他药物费用低达4%。在丹麦,所有三种药物的费用在彼此的1.5%之内,比马前列素与曲伏前列素费用相当,而较拉坦前列素费用略低,但是拉坦前列素较曲伏前列素和比马前列素效益高。各国家所有药物的效用在一个窄范围内。结论:在斯堪的纳维亚,拉坦前列素为其他可买到的前列腺素类似物提供了经济有效的替代物。     

Silicone punctal plugs as an adjunctive therapy for open‐angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Background: Primary open‐angle glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that can cause an irreversible loss of vision. A reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) is beneficial in slowing or halting its progression. Once‐per‐day monotherapy glaucoma medications, such as prostaglandin analogues, are effective in lowering IOP while maintaining patients' adherence. Achieving the desired target IOP often requires multiple medications. The present study evaluates punctal occlusion of both the inferior and superior puncta as an adjunctive therapy to travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004% for patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in order to reduce IOP. Methods: Thirteen patients who were using travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension received silicone punctal plugs in the superior and inferior puncta of one eye. After one month, the IOP was remeasured. The percentage change of the IOP from the baseline was analysed by using a paired sample t‐test. Results: The mean baseline IOP was 19.82 ± 1.19 mmHg in the test eyes and 18.32 ± 1.11 mmHg in the control eyes. The mean IOP at the one‐month visit was 18.23 ± 1.17 mmHg in the test eyes and 18.45 ± 1.04 mmHg in the control eyes. The test eyes demonstrated a decrease in IOP of 1.59 (± 0.95) mmHg from the baseline, or a 6.82 per cent decrease in the IOP from the baseline. The control eyes had an increase in IOP of 0.14 ± 0.77 mmHg from the baseline, or a 1.91 per cent increase in the IOP. The relative difference in the IOP between the test eyes and the control eyes at the one‐month visit was 1.73 mmHg, or 8.74 per cent. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, punctal occlusion offers a statistically and clinically significant decrease in IOP when it is used as an adjunctive therapy to travoprost 0.004% for patients who are suffering from open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.     

拉坦、曲伏及比马前列素治疗青光眼的成本效用分析

目的：评估拉坦前列素,曲伏前列素和比马前列素在挪威,瑞典及丹麦（斯堪的纳维亚）治疗开角型青光眼的成本效用。方法：建立马尔可夫卫生经济学决策分析模型,评估比较前列腺素类似物的成本效用。健康状态为稳定及进展期青光眼。原发性开角型青光眼和表皮剥脱性青光眼的转换概率均由发表的医学文献数据计算所得。通过对分散遍及于各国家的45位眼科医生进行调查获得临床医疗模式。各国家的具体单位成本包括药费,就诊费,诊断及治疗费。生命质量权重值指定为视力0．50～0．84,时间范围为5a。所有分析均为付款人观点成本效益分析,成本结果每年降低3％。结果：在挪威和瑞典,拉坦前列素较曲伏前列素和比马前列素费用低而效益高,拉坦前列素比其他药物费用低达4％。在丹麦,所有三种药物的费用在彼此的1．5％之内,比马前列素与曲伏前列素费用相当,而较拉坦前列素费用略低,但是拉坦前列素较曲伏前列素和比马前列素效益高。各国家所有药物的效用在一个窄范围内。结论：在斯堪的纳维亚,拉坦前列素为其他可买到的前列腺素类似物提供了经济有效的替代物。     

三种前列腺素类药物降眼压效果比较

目的比较拉坦前列素、曲伏前列素和贝美前列素三种前列腺素类药物的降眼压效果。方法选取原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症患者,拉坦前列素组51例(51眼),曲伏前列素组24例(24眼),贝美前列素组27例(27眼),分别使用相应滴眼液,均为每日1次,共观察4周,测量用药前后的眼压值。结果三组患者用药4周后眼压均有明显下降,拉坦前列素组在8:30测得平均眼压从(24.57±3.68)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)降至(15.29±2.67)mmHg,下降幅度(用药前后眼压差值/用药前眼压值)为37.8%;曲伏前列素组从(24.54±2.95)mmHg降至(16.29±3.11)mmHg,下降幅度为33.6%;贝美前列素组从(25.41±3.63)mmHg降至(16.00±4.45)mmHg,下降幅度为37.0%。用药前及用药后三组间眼压值比较,差异均无显著性(分别为F=0.579、P=0.562;F=0.868、P=0.423)。结论拉坦前列素、曲伏前列素、贝美前列素滴眼液对于原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症患者都有明显、持久的降眼压作用,且降眼压作用相互间没有明显差异。     

Efficacy and safety of tafluprost 0.0015% versus latanoprost 0.005% eye drops in open‐angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension: 24‐month results of a randomized,double‐masked phase III study

Purpose: The objective of the study was to compare the long‐term efficacy and safety of tafluprost 0.0015% with latanoprost 0.005% eye drops in patients with open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Methods: This double‐masked, active‐controlled, parallel‐group, multinational, multicentre, phase III study was conducted at 49 centres in 8 countries. Eligible patients were assigned to treatment administered once daily at 20:00 hrs for up to 24 months. Change from baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) was the primary efficacy variable. Adverse events were recorded and ocular safety was evaluated. Both tafluprost and latanoprost were preserved with benzalkonium chloride. Results: From 533 patients randomized, 402 patients completed 24 months of therapy. Both treatments had a substantial IOP‐lowering effect which persisted throughout the study (?7.1 mmHg for tafluprost and ?7.7 mmHg for latanoprost at 24 months). Although the IOP‐lowering effect during the study was slightly larger with latanoprost, this difference was clinically small and the noninferiority of tafluprost to latanoprost over all diurnal IOP measurements was shown with anova and almost reached with ancova (upper limits of the 95% confidence intervals 1.38 and 1.52 for the overall period, respectively). The noninferiority limit was 1.5 mmHg. Conclusions: Tafluprost is a new effective and well‐tolerated treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.     

Efficacy and safety of latanoprost versus pilocarpine/timolol maleate fixed combination in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the safety and effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of latanoprost given every evening versus pilocarpine/timolol maleate fixed combination (PTFC) given twice daily in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH). Methods: Following a 6‐week, medicine‐free period, qualified patients were randomized for Period 1 to either placebo administered every morning and latanoprost every evening or to PTFC administered twice daily. After 8 weeks of treatment, IOP was measured at 08.00, 10.00, 16.00 and 18.00 hours. Patients were then switched to the opposite treatment and underwent a second diurnal evaluation at the end of Period 2. Results: Thirty‐two patients completed this study. They demonstrated diurnal baseline IOP of 24.1 ± 2.4 mmHg. Mean diurnal pressure was 16.8 ± 2.1 mmHg on PTFC and 16.9 ± 2.5 mmHg on latanoprost (p = 0.60). No statistical difference between treatments was observed at any individual time‐point except at 10.00 hours, when the PTFC group demonstrated an IOP of 15.9 ± 2.3 mmHg and latanoprost 16.8 ± 2.7 mmHg (p = 0.02). There were no statistical differences between groups in unsolicited systemic or ocular adverse events (p > 0.05). However, the PTFC group showed a narrower pupil diameter (2.3 mm) than the latanoprost group (3.7 mm). Additionally, a solicited symptom survey demonstrated mild blurred vision, stinging and ocular pain with PTFC (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both PTFC and latanoprost are efficacious in reducing diurnal IOP in POAG or OH. However, PTFC may be more effective in the late morning and may have a greater incidence of mild ocular side‐effects.     

Alterations in anterior chamber depth in primary open‐angle glaucoma patients during latanoprost therapy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the anterior chamber depth (ACD) in primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) patients during latanoprost therapy. Methods: We carried out a prospective study in which we enrolled 66 newly diagnosed POAG patients treated with latanoprost 0.005% (group 1) and 50 ocular hypertensive and/or glaucoma suspect cases who were given no therapy (group 2 [control]). Measurements of the ACD were performed by A‐scan ultrasonography before and after cycloplegia at baseline and at 3 months of latanoprost therapy. Differences in ACD and their correlations with the ocular hypotensive effect of the agent as well as the clinical significance of changes in ACD were analysed using Student’s t‐test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Mean baseline ACD was 3.13 ± 0.35 mm (range 2.45–3.84 mm) in group 1 and 3.14 ± 0.36 mm (range 2.54–3.80 mm) in group 2 (p = 0.89). At 1 hour after instillation of cyclopentolate 1%, mean ACD in groups 1 and 2 was 3.18 ± 0.38 mm (range 2.45–3.92 mm) and 3.19 ± 0.37 mm (range 2.56–3.91 mm), respectively (p = 0.91). After 3 months of treatment, mean ACD in group 1 both without (3.05 ± 0.36 mm, range 2.14–3.76 mm) and with (3.09 ± 0.4 mm, range 2.20–3.96 mm) cycloplegia was significantly reduced compared with baseline values (p < 0.001 for both). However, there was no significant difference between mean ACD at baseline and that at month 3 in group 2. No correlation was demonstrated between the changes in ACD and the ocular hypotensive effect of latanoprost (p = 0.96, r = ? 0.006). There were no changes in refractive status or visual acuity. Conclusions: The overall results seem to suggest that latanoprost decreases mean ACD in patients with POAG. The clinical significance of this effect is uncertain.     

Ocular pulse amplitude in patients with open angle glaucoma,normal tension glaucoma,and ocular hypertension

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intraocular pressure (IOP) is not a fixed constant value but rather has pulsatile components associated with cardiac action. The SmartLens dynamic observing tonometer (odc, Ophthalmic Development Company AG, Zurich, Switzerland) can measure and record simultaneously IOP and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA). It was the aim of this study to evaluate OPA in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and high IOP, normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and ocular hypertension (OHT). Furthermore, the authors examined whether there were any correlations with blood pressure. METHODS: 80 subjects were divided into four groups (n=20): 20 patients each with POAG, NTG, and OHT and 20 volunteers without any ocular pathology except for cataract served as a control group. RESULTS: The OPA of the POAG group was not statistically significant different from the control group and from the OHT group. However, OPA was statistically significant lower (p<0.01) in the NTG group compared with all other groups. The OPA of the OHT group was slightly higher compared to the healthy volunteers (p=0.09) and to the POAG patients (p=0.09). No statistically significant correlations with blood pressure could be detected. A logistic regression model was established which identified OPA as an independent risk factor for NTG. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a decrease in OPA of patients suffering from NTG. Thus, measuring of OPA by the SmartLens dynamic observing tonometer could be helpful in the detection of NTG patients.     

曲伏前列素与布林佐胺治疗开角型青光眼或高眼压症的临床研究

目的:研究曲伏前列素与布林佐胺联合治疗原发性开角型青光眼(primary open angle glaucoma,POAG)、高眼压症(ocular hypertension,OHT)及抗青光眼术后高眼压的降眼压疗效及安全性。方法:将48例52眼POAG,OHT,抗青光眼术后高眼压的患者纳入为期2mo的前瞻性、单向性、开放性研究。经药物洗脱期测量眼压基线值。用药后2,4,8,12wk测量眼压、视力、视野,观察眼部症状、体征及全身副作用。计算12wk时眼压≤17mmHg患者百分比。结果:患者基线眼压28.08±2.50mmHg,4次随访眼压(17.12±1.42,16.71±1.55,16.13±1.52,16.12±1.49)mmHg,眼压下降均值10.35mmHg,最大下降率45%。用药后眼压与基线眼压比较差值有非常显著意义(P<0.01),用药12wk时,眼压≤17mmHg的患者占64%。常见的不良反应是结膜充血,偶见轻微烧灼感,轻度味觉异常等,对角膜、泪膜、视力、视野、血压、心率均未影响。结论:曲伏前列素与布林佐胺联合应用降眼压的效果明显,安全性好。联合用药,眼压≤17mmHg患者所占百分比显著。     

噻吗洛尔和布林佐胺联合曲伏前列素治疗原发性开角型青光眼与高眼压患者的临床研究

目的比较噻吗洛尔和布林佐胺辅助曲伏前列素治疗原发性开角型青光眼(primary open-angle glaucoma,POAG)或高眼压(ocular hypertension,OHT)患者的效果。方法将使用曲伏前列素单剂药物治疗6周后眼压>18mmHg(1kPa=7.5mm-Hg)的POAG及OHT患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。治疗组40例(40眼)加入10g·L-1布林佐胺滴眼液(每日2次),对照组40例(40眼)加入5g·L-1噻吗洛尔滴眼液(每日2次)。随访2周、8周、14周、20周、26周的眼压、血压、心率,观察眼部症状和体征,26周检测与基线对应的相关参量,包括视野、视觉电生理、视网膜神经纤维层厚度、视盘盘沿面积、泪液功能等。计算26周时眼压≤18mmHg患者百分比。结果两组眼压与基线比较均有明显下降,差异均有显著统计学意义(均为P<0.01)。治疗组降眼压持续平稳,对照组眼压于20周后出现上升趋势。24h眼压描记显示治疗组降眼压稳定,昼夜眼压平稳,对照组夜间眼压控制欠佳。2组对患者血压无影响,治疗组对患者心率无影响,对照组在联合用药20周始出现心率抑制。联合用药后对照组视野光敏感度下降,泪膜稳定性下降,治疗组无明显异常。治疗组常见的副作用是眼部刺激症状、味觉异常、口干等,对照组副作用是眼异物感、干涩等。结论曲伏前列素单剂治疗不足时,添加布林佐胺和噻吗洛尔均能进一步降低眼压,布林佐胺长期及短期眼压波动幅度均比噻吗洛尔小,局部及全身副作用小。     

Travoprost compared with other prostaglandin analogues or timolol in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: It is still uncertain whether travoprost has comparable or better efficacy compared with other prostaglandin analogues or timolol in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The authors performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the incidence of reported side-effects and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of travoprost versus other prostaglandin analogues (latanaprost, bimatoprost, unoprostone) or timolol. METHODS: Systematic literature retrieval was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, Chinese Bio-medicine Database and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register to identify the potentially relevant randomized controlled trials. The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan 4.1 software that was provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. The outcome measures were the incidence of reported side-effects (hyperaemia, iris pigmentation, eyelash changes) and mean IOP pooled over treatment visits. RESULTS: In total, 12 articles involving 3048 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were included in this meta-analysis. The combined results showed that travoprost 0.004% was more effective than timolol or travoprost 0.0015% in lowering IOP, but not more effective than bimatoprost or latanoprost. Travoprost 0.004% caused a higher percentage of hyperaemia than timolol, latanoprost, or travoprost 0.0015%. There was an increased incidence of pigmentation with travoprost than timolol. Travoprost 0.004% caused a higher percentage of eyelash changes than timolol, latanoprost, or travoprost 0.0015%. CONCLUSION: According to data available, travoprost is more effective than timolol in lowering IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Compared with other prostaglandin analogues, travoprost appears to be equivalent to bimatoprost and latanoprost. Although a limited number of local side-effects were reported, no serious treatment-related side-effects were reported.     

Coexistence of macro‐ and micro‐vascular abnormalities in newly diagnosed normal tension glaucoma patients

Purpose: To investigate the coexistence of ocular microvascular and systemic macrovascular abnormalities in early stage, newly diagnosed and previously untreated normal tension glaucoma patients (NTG). Methods: Retinal vascular reactivity to flickering light was assessed in 19 NTG and 28 age‐matched controls by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis (IMEDOS GmbH, Jena, Germany). Using a newly developed computational model, the entire dynamic vascular response profile to flicker light was imaged and used for analysis. In addition, assessments of carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and pulse wave analysis (PWA) were conducted on all participants, along with blood pressure (BP) measurements and blood analyses for lipid metabolism markers. Results: Patients with NTG demonstrated an increased right and left carotid IMT (p = 0.015, p = 0.045) and an elevated PWA augmentation index (p = 0.017) in comparison with healthy controls, along with an enhanced retinal arterial constriction response (p = 0.028), a steeper retinal arterial constriction slope (p = 0.031) and a reduced retinal venous dilation response (p = 0.026) following flicker light stimulation. Conclusions: Early stage, newly diagnosed, NTG patients showed signs of subclinical vascular abnormalities at both macro‐ and micro‐vascular levels, highlighting the need to consider multi‐level circulation‐related pathologies in the development and progression of this type of glaucoma.     

A randomized, 36‐month,post‐marketing efficacy and tolerability study in Sweden and Finland of latanoprost versus non‐prostaglandin therapy in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Purpose: To compare the effect of time on therapy, efficacy, tolerability and resource utilization of latanoprost or non‐prostaglandin analogues (non‐PGs) in patients who required a change in intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering monotherapy. Methods: This open‐label, multicentre study (Sweden, 19 sites; Finland, seven sites) included adults with glaucoma or ocular hypertension with mean diurnal IOP ≥ 21 mmHg on ocular hypotensive monotherapy. Patients were randomized to latanoprost monotherapy or non‐PG therapy (commercially available therapy other than a PG) and followed for 36 months. End‐points included: time to treatment failure (baseline to visit with a change in/addition to treatment); diurnal IOP (mean of 08.00, 12.00 and 16:00 hr measurements) at months 6, 12, 24 and 36; tolerability; and resource utilization, where analyses used Swedish and Finnish 2006 unit costs. Results: Three hundred and twenty‐six patients received ≥ 1 dose of latanoprost (n = 162) or non‐PGs (n = 164). Median time to treatment failure was longer for latanoprost (36 months) than for non‐PGs (12 months; p < 0.001); 51% and 24% of patients remained on randomized therapy after 36 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Decreases in mean diurnal IOP from baseline were significantly greater for latanoprost than for non‐PGs at months 6 and 12 (p < 0.01). No serious adverse events were judged to be treatment‐related. Mean total 36‐month direct costs were similar in patients initiated with latanoprost and non‐PGs. Conclusion: Patients who failed previous monotherapy remained on therapy longer when switched to latanoprost. Latanoprost’s IOP‐reducing effect and tolerability were sustained over the long term. Resource utilization and costs were generally similar in those initiating latanoprost or non‐PG therapy.     

Nutritional,lifestyle and environmental factors in ocular hypertension and primary open‐angle glaucoma: an exploratory case–control study

Purpose: To evaluate known and potential risk factors, including nutritional, lifestyle and environmental factors, differentiating patients with high‐tension primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) from control subjects with ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: In 2006–2007, 111 French ophthalmologists prospectively enrolled 339 cases of POAG and 339 age‐matched controls with OHT. After a clinical examination with assessment of ocular risk factors, the ophthalmologist filled, during face‐to‐face interview, a detailed questionnaire developed by nutritionists and epidemiologist on lifestyle and environmental risk factors, including socio‐demographic variables, dietary habits related to omega‐3 fatty acids intake, smoking and alcohol drinking and professional exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Associations of POAG with risk factors were estimated using conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for age, gender and duration of disease. Results: In the final multivariate model, by comparison with OHT, POAG was significantly associated with more frequent use of pesticides during the professional life [OR = 2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–6.78, p = 0.04] and with low consumption of fatty fish (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.10–4.17, p = 0.02) and walnuts (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.18–3.47, p = 0.01). POAG was also associated with higher frequency of heavy smoking (40 pack‐years or more, OR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.12–13.80, p = 0.03) but not with moderate (20–40 pack‐years) and light smoking (<20 pack‐years). Conclusions: These exploratory observations suggest a protective effect of omega‐3 fatty acids and a deleterious effect of heavy smoking and professional exposure to pesticides in POAG. This will need to be confirmed in future studies.     

Central corneal thickness measurements in patients with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, or ocular hypertension.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies have revealed patients with ocular hypertension to have thicker than normal central corneas and those with normal tension glaucoma to have thinner than normal ones, as determined by ultrasonic pachymetry. Since corneal thickness measurements and applanation tonometric estimates of intraocular pressure (IOP) correlate positively, monitoring of the former parameter have served as the basis for adjusting readings pertaining to the latter, with the consequence that many patients have had to be reclassified. With a view to validating these pachymetric studies, the central corneal thickness was determined in patients with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, or ocular hypertension, as well as that of normal subjects, using optical low coherence reflectometry, which is a new and more precise method than ultrasonic pachymetry. METHODS: 34 patients with normal tension glaucoma, 20 with primary open angle glaucoma, 13 with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and 12 with ocular hypertension, together with 21 control subjects, were included in this observational, concurrent case-control study. One eye per individual was randomly selected for investigation. IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry and central corneal thickness by optical low coherence reflectometry. RESULTS: Central corneal thickness was significantly higher (p < or =0.001) in patients with ocular hypertension than in normal individuals or in subjects with either normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, there being no significant differences between the latter four groups. Patients with ocular hypertension were also significantly younger (p < or =0.003) than those within any of the three glaucomatous groups. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that a significant number of patients with ocular hypertension have normal IOPs after the appropriate adjustments have been made for deviations from normal in their central corneal thickness. The accurate measurement of this latter parameter is important not only for individual patient care, in permitting more precise estimations of IOP, but also for clinical studies, in assuring a more reliable classification of subjects.     

Studies on ocular inflammation and development of a prostaglandin analogue for glaucoma treatment

This review summarizes the Ernst H. Bárány Prize Lecture given at the meeting of the International Society of Eye Research in Geneva 2002. In the paper the path from the author's early studies on neurogenic inflammation in the eye to the search for a suitable prostaglandin analogue for glaucoma treatment, and the development of latanoprost are described. In particular the solution to the nociceptive and hyperemic side-effects of naturally occurring prostaglandins in the eye, the mechanism of action of FP prostanoid receptor agonists as well as the selection of dose for glaucoma treatment are discussed. In addition, pharmacokinetical aspects of latanoprost, and the melanogenic side-effect of prostaglandins in the iris are addressed. The paper is primarily focused on studies performed by the author and complete reference to other previous, or contemporary studies is therefore not always given as the purpose is not to present a comprehensive review article.     

A comparison of optic disc topographic parameters in patients with primary open angle glaucoma,normal tension glaucoma,and ocular hypertension

Background Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) findings have been employed to quantitatively assess the topography of optic discs. We measured topographic parameters of optic discs in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and ocular hypertension (OH) using an HRT in order to determine whether HRT topographic parameters can be used to differentiate those conditions.Methods Seventeen eyes in 17 patients with POAG, 23 eyes in 23 patients with NTG, and 15 eyes in 15 patients with OH were examined using an HRT, and the results were analyzed by age, refractive error, and topographic parameters.Results Among the HRT parameters, the mean values for rim area, rim volume, cup disk area ratio, and classification showed significant differences among POAG, NTG, and OH eyes. The mean values for cup area, cup volume, mean RNFL thickness, and RNFL cross section area showed significant differences between POAG and NTG eyes, and NTG and OH eyes, however, not between POAG and OH eyes. Cup shape measure showed significant differences between POAG and OH, and NTG and OH eyes, but not between POAG and NTG eyes.Conclusions Our results suggest that POAG is distinguishable from NTG and OH based on evaluations of rim area and rim volume. Patients with NTG tend to have larger cupping, smaller rims, and thinner retinal nerve fiber layers as compared to POAG and OH patients. Thus, HRT topographic parameters are useful to differentiate patients with POAG, NTG, and OH.