Publication:

Effect of benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost and benzalkonium chloride-free latanoprost on intraocular pressure in patients of primary open angle glaucoma

Background To evaluate the change in mean IOP with BKC-preserved latanoprost versus BKC-free latanoprost in patients of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods This was an open-label, randomized, interventional, switch trial. Thirty patients of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) who were already on benzalkonium chloride (BKC)-preserved latanoprost for a minimum of three months were recruited. Their intraocular pressure (IOP) was recorded at the baseline. Then, they were switched over to benzalkonium chloride (BKC)-free latanoprost for another three months. Their intraocular pressure (IOP) was recorded at both 6 and 12 weeks of follow-up.

Results IOP decreased from 15.57±0.85mm Hg at baseline to 15.40±0.89mm Hg at 6 weeks to 15.30±0.70mm Hg at 12 weeks. p value was found to be 0.209 and 0.115 at 6 and 12 weeks respectively. No statistically significant change was observed between mean IOP at both 6 and 12 weeks as compared to the baseline.

Conclusions BKC-free medications have equal IOP lowering effect as BKC-preserved medications in glaucoma patients.