Effects of tafluprost treatment for 3 years in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of tafluprost treatment for 3 years on intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual field performance.

Methods: The IOP of 55 patients with normal-tension glaucoma was monitored every 1-3 months for 3 years. The Humphrey visual field test was performed every 6 months after treatment and results compared with before-treatment results. Visual field performance was also evaluated by trend and event analysis.

Results: After 3 years' tafluprost single-use vials treatment, the IOP (12.8 ± 2.8 mmHg [mean ± standard deviation]) was significantly lower than before treatment (15.7 ± 2.2 mmHg; P < 0.0001). When comparing before-treatment Humphrey visual field test findings with those after 3 years of treatment, no change was found in the mean deviation and pattern standard deviation. Visual field performance had worsened in four patients and three patients according to trend analysis and event analysis, respectively. Adverse reactions appeared in ten cases and one patient (1.8%) discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction.

Conclusion: Tafluprost single-use vials treatment was effective in reducing IOP over the 3 years of this study, but visual field performance worsened by 10.3%-13.8% in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. Safety was satisfactory.