Correlation found between change in IOP and conjunctival hyperaemia induced by latanoprost

A strong correlation between a change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and conjunctival hyperaemia severity induced by latanoprost has been confirmed in a recent study published in the Journal of Glaucoma.

Drs Hiroshi and Kaori Kobayashi, from Amagasaki Hospital, Hyogo and Osaka Red Cross Hospital, Osaka, Japan, respectively, examined 114 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Their aim was to determine any correlation between a short-term change in conjunctival hyperaemia severity and the IOP-reducing effect induced by latanoprost.

Of the 114 patients 56 were female and 58 were male and they had a mean age of 60.9±15 years. The primary outcome of the study was to determine the change in conjunctival hyperaemia grade at day 2 and the change in IOP at 6 months after commencing latanoprost treatment.

The mean IOP before latanoprost treatment was 22.5±3.8 mmHg and after 6 months it was 16.5±2.9 mmHg (P < 0.0001). Mean changes in conjunctival hyperaemia before and after 2 days of latanoprost treatment were 0.32±0.58 and 1.74±1.11, respectively (P < 0.0001). It was found that the mean change in IOP was greater in eyes with a higher hyperaemia grade change.

In conclusion, the researchers found a significant correlation between the change in IOP and the conjunctival hyperaemia severity after treatment with latanoprost.