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Comparing the tolerability of preservative-free tafluprost versus preserved latanoprost in the management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension — an observer blinded active-control trial

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Dry eye is a condition related to long-term topical eye therapy. We wish to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of preservative free prostaglandin drops versus benzalkonium chloride containing prostaglandin drops in the treatment of glaucoma.

Methods

Patients undergoing prostaglandin monotherapy underwent a washout period of at least 1 month after which baseline measurements of dry eye severity were taken. Patients were randomised to receive either 0.0015% tafluprost drops or 0.005% latanoprost preserved with 0.02% benzalkonium chloride. Repeat measurements were taken after a 2-month interval.

Results

Thirty-five patients completed randomised treatment. No significant difference between groups was found in objective and subjective measurements of dry eye severity. No significant difference was found in measurement of treatment effectiveness.

Conclusion

Preservative-free and benzalkonium chloride–containing drops were found to be equally effective in lowering IOP with no significant difference in either subjective or objective measurements of dry eye severity.

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Data availability

The data that support this study are not openly available but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants and the hospital for their resources given willingly and freely, be it time, space, equipment or advice.

Funding

The authors and department received no funding support for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    David Brinkman, Terence McSwiney & Mark James

Authors
  1. David Brinkman
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  2. Terence McSwiney
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  3. Mark James
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Correspondence to David Brinkman.

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Brinkman, D., McSwiney, T. & James, M. Comparing the tolerability of preservative-free tafluprost versus preserved latanoprost in the management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension — an observer blinded active-control trial. Ir J Med Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03704-7

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