Glaucoma
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Research from University of Catania has provided new data on glaucoma
2009 AUG 24 - (NewsRx.com) -- "To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pneumatic trabeculoplasty (PNT) compared with latanoprost 0.005%, in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OH) not controlled by timolol 0.5%. In a randomized clinical study, 18 patients affected with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH) with intraocular pressure (IOP) > 20 mmHg after timolol 0.5% in one eye were treated with PNT; 18 control eyes received adjunctive therapy with latanoprost 0.005%," scientists writing in the journal Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology report. "Visual acuity, IOP, visual field, biomicroscopy findings and fundus appearance were evaluated at each month. with IOP > 20 mmHg were excluded from the study. The study was continued until in one group no patients were left. At 1 month, IOP had decreased significantly in both groups. In PNT-treated eyes the mean IOP decrease was 4.5 +/- 1.8 mmHg (19.1 +/- 7.8%) and in latanoprost-treated eyes was 6.6 +/- 1.3 mmHg (28.2 +/- 5.7%) (between two groups, P< 0.001). Eleven PNT-treated eyes (61%) and 17 latanoprost-treated eyes (94%) had an IOP reduction of more than 20% of baseline value (P = 0.049); two PNT-treated patients received additional therapy. At the following months, in the latanoprost group, IOP was stable: an IOP reduction of 20% or more was seen in 89% of the eyes. In some PNT-treated eyes IOP increased: at 2 months, an IOP reductiona parts per thousand yen20% was seen in 50%, at 3 months in 33%, and at 4 months in 17% of the eyes. (between the two groups, respectively, P = 0.03, P = 0.002, P< 0.001). The number of eyes that required therapy increased progressively in the PNT group, and at 8 months all eyes had required therapy, whereas one latanoprost-treated eye had had additional therapy. After PNT, no patients had visual acuity reduction or intraocular inflammation; three eyes had subconjunctival hemorrhage and five eyes a hyperemia that regressed within 1 week. No posterior segment changes or visual field progression were detected in either groups. In eyes with glaucomatous damage that is not advanced, PNT can reduce the IOP in 60% of the eyes at 1 month, and in 33% of the eyes at 3 months, without significant side-effects. The indications, efficacy and safety of PNT retreatments remain to be investigated," wrote M.G. Uva and colleagues, University of Catania. The researchers concluded: "IOP reduction is less and of shorter duration than that obtained by latanoprost adjunctive therapy.." Uva and colleagues published their study in Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (Pneumatic trabeculoplasty vs latanoprost as adjunctive therapy to timolol in primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2009;247(8):1103-1109). Additional information can be obtained by contacting A. Longo, University of Catania, Eye Clinic, Via Santa Sofia 78, I-95123 Catania, Italy. The publisher of the journal Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: Italy, Catania, Clinical Trial Research, Drugs, Genetics, Glaucoma, Latanoprost, Microscopy, Ocular Hypertension, Open-Angle Glaucoma, Ophthalmology, Pharmaceuticals, Therapy, Timolol, Treatment, University of Catania. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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