Travoprost and bimatoprost cause dry eye

The use of travoprost 0.004% and bimatoprost 0.03% can have adverse effects on the ocular surface and can result in dry eye symptoms, according to Samet Ermis and co-workers from the Kocatepe University School of Medicine, Turkey.

A total of 78 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were enrolled; 44 patients received travoprost and 34 received bimatoprost. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed before treatment and one week, one, three and six months after treatment. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry and Schirmer and break-up time tests were performed during all examinations. Conjunctival cytology specimens were taken before and six-months after treatment and graded according to Nelson's classification and globlet cell density was evaluated.

In the travoprost group, mean IOP before treatment was 21.4±1.5 mmHg and 15.4±1.6 mmHg six months following treatment (p<0.05). In the bimatoprost group, mean IOP before treatment was 22.0±1.5 mmHg and 15.5 mmHg±1.4 mmHg six months after treatment (p<0.05). The authors found a statistically significant difference, between the two groups, in globlet cell density, Schirmer test and break-up time (p<0.05).

Although the decrease in IOP is statistically significant for both treatment groups, the study did show that travoprost and bimatoprost therapy can give rise to dry eye symptoms.