Abstract:

Objective To observe the effect of topical using of prostaglandin eye drops on the thickness of the cornea and intraocular pressure. Design Prospective comparable case-control study. Participants One hundred nineteen patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Methods Patients were randomly divided into two groups, 71 eyes in 0.004% travoprost eye drops group (Tra group) and 48 eyes in 0.15% brimonidine tartrate eye drops group (Bri group). Central corneal thickness(CCT), apex corneal thickness (Apex CT), thinnest corneal thickness(TCT) and every 2 μm distant from TCT point were assessed by Pentacam Analyzer and intraocular pressure (IOP) by Goldmann applanation tonometer was corrected at the 3 and 6 months follow up.  Main Outcome Measures Central and peripheral corneal thickness; corrected intraocular pressure. Results At the last follow up, the CCT from 555.35±36.51 μm to 549.68±36.43 μm (P<0.05), Apex CT from 553.80±36.42 μm to 549.14±36.41 μm (P<0.05), TCT from 552.11±36.29 μm to 546.15±35.87 μm (P<0.05) and similar to corneal thickness from TCT 2 μm, 4 μm and 6 μm, 8 μm (CT2 and CT4, CT6 and CT8) in Tra group (P<0.05). In the 3 months, CCT was getting thinner for average 4.63±0.62 μm after 3 months’ treatment and average 5.67±0.64 μm after 6 months’ treatment. There were no significant differences in corrected intraocular pressure(c-IOP) at the baseline and the follow up (P>0.05). And no significant statistical differences was found between corneal thickness and c-IOP in Bri-group (P>0.05).  Conclusion Topical use of prostaglandin eye drops is one of potential risk factors to make corneal thinner, despite of no effect on c-IOP.  (Ophthalmol CHN, 2016, 25: 18-22)

Key words: primary open angle glaucoma, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure