Objective: To evaluate the 5-year safety and efficacy of adjunctive 0.005% latanoprost once daily.
Methods: Patients with primary open-angle or exfoliation glaucoma who completed a 3-year, open-label, uncontrolled, prospective trial could enter a 2-year extension phase. High-resolution color photographs of irides were taken at baseline and at 14 subsequent visits. Photographs were assessed for change in iris pigmentation compared with baseline. Intraocular pressures and adverse events were recorded.
Main outcome measure: Development and progression of increased iris pigmentation over 5 years.
Results: Of the 519 original patients, 380 enrolled in the extension phase with approximately 89% having an eye color known to be susceptible to color change. After 5 years, most patients had no increase in iris pigmentation, but certain colored irides exhibited notably greater susceptibility than others. For those whose irides did change, onset occurred during the first 8 months in 74% and during the first 24 months in 94%. No patient developed an increase in pigmentation after month 36; the rate of progression decreased over time. Adverse event profiles were similar for patients with and without increased pigmentation. The overall mean intraocular pressure reduction from baseline of 25% was sustained with no need for change in intraocular pressure-lowering treatment in 70% of the eyes.
Conclusion: Latanoprost therapy is safe and well tolerated for long-term treatment of open-angle glaucoma.