Comparison of BAK-preserved Latanoprost and Polyquad-preserved Travoprost on Ocular Surface Parameters in Patients with Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Abstract Background To compare the effect of two different prostaglandin analogues (Travatan® vs. Xalatan®) on ocular surface parameters. Methods This study includes 44 eyes of 44 patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Patients were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-preserved latanoprost and polyquad-preserved travoprost. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) levels and ocular surface parameters including ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining scores, and Schirmer test scores of patients were performed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment and compared. Results The age, sex ratio, visual acuity, central corneal thickness, and cup/disc ratio were similar between the groups. A decrease in IOP levels (23.3 ± 2.5 to 15.5 ± 2.3), TBUT (5.5 ± 2.3 to 4.1 ± 1.7 sec), Schirmer test values (11.3 ± 5.9 to 8.6 ± 4.7 sec), and a worsening in OSDI scores (44.6 ± 15.2 to 55.1 ± 13.1) and staining scores (1.7 ± 1.6 to 2.3 ± 1.8) were observed in all patients in the first month of treatment (p < 0.05, for all). No further worsening was detected during the 1-year follow-up. There was no difference between the groups in terms of alterations in IOP levels and ocular surface parameters. Conclusion Travatan® and Xalatan® have a similar effect on IOP levels and ocular surface parameters in patients with POAG and OHT.