Intraocular pressure lowering effect of brinzolamide 1.0% as adjunctive therapy to latanoprost 0.005% in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: an uncontrolled, open-label study.

PURPOSE: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of brinzolamide 1.0% ophthalmic suspension as an adjunctive therapy with latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OH) who had been using latanoprost 0.005% for more than 6 months were initiated on adjunctive brinzolamide therapy. The IOP values at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months were compared with those measured immediately before adding brinzolamide to the regimen (baseline). The incidence of adverse events such as conjunctival hyperemia and corneal epithelial defect were also examined. RESULTS: The baseline IOP was 21.1 +/- 4.8 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation). After 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months of therapy IOP was 16.9 +/- 4.5 mmHg, 16.6 +/- 4.0 mmHg, and 15.9 +/- 3.1 mmHg, respectively, showing significant reductions in IOP at all the measuring time-points during the study compared with the baseline value (p < 0.01). Conjunctival hyperemia developed in one patient after 1 month and in another after 2 months; however, both were mild, and therapy was continued. Corneal epithelium defect was observed in 3 patients. One of them had mild defect before brinzolamide was added to the regimen. Increase of eye discharge was seen in one patient. No serious side effects were otherwise observed. CONCLUSION: The addition of brinzolamide to a latanoprost 0.005% regimen may further lower intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.