The effect of once-daily latanoprost on intraocular pressure and pulsatile ocular blood flow in normal tension glaucoma

Purpose To determine the effect of once-daily 0.005% latanoprost on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods The diurnal IOP and sitting POBF were determined for 32 eyes of 19 NTG patients after a washout period. The subjects were treated with 0.005% latanoprost for 3-4 weeks and the measurements repeated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Median IOP before and after treatment were 19 and 15 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). The IOP reduction correlated with the initial IOP before treatment (p < 0.01) and was accompanied by an increase in median POBF from 656 to 796 mu l/min (p < 0.001). Conclusions Once-daily treatment with 0.005% latanoprost provides a significant and stable IOP reduction in the majority of NTG patients after short-term treatment. This is accompanied by a significant increase in POBF.