Purpose: To assess the relation between the intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy of latanoprost 0.005% and the area of the ciliary body face exposed to the anterior chamber as assessed by ultrasound biomicroscopy.
Patients and methods: Untreated, latanoprost-naive patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial. A radial, perpendicular ultrasound biomicroscopy image at the 6-o'clock position detailing Schwalbe line, scleral spur, and iris insertion was obtained. The distances between these structures were then measured and their relations to the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of latanoprost at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months were analyzed.
Results: Fifty-four eyes (54 patients) were enrolled. The mean age of participants was 60.2 +/- 13.9 years, and mean pretreatment intraocular pressure was 26.4 +/- 3.8 mm Hg. The mean intraocular pressure reduction from baseline was 7.1 mm Hg (26.9%), 7.3 (27.7%), 7.8 (29.5%), and 7.7 (29.2%) at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months, respectively. The mean distance between the scleral spur and the iris insertion was 0.14 +/- 0.08 mm (range, 0.04-0.33 mm). There was a significant correlation between intraocular pressure reduction at 1 month and trabecular meshwork height, suggesting that intraocular pressure reduction was associated with increasing trabecular meshwork height (P < 0.05). No other correlation could be found regarding intraocular pressure reduction.
Conclusion: Although latanoprost lowers intraocular pressure by enhancing uveoscleral outflow, its efficacy is independent of the height of the ciliary face.