Purpose: To compare the effect of reducing the ocular surface disorders and the ocular hypotensive effect of preservative-free carteolol hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (PF) with that of preservative-containing carteolol hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (MK) in glaucoma patients.
Subjects and methods: After MK and latanoprost ophthalmic solution (XL) were instilled into the eyes of 79 glaucoma patients for a 4-week period, 40 patients were randomly assigned to be switched to a PF group (PF and XL instillation) and 39 patients not to be switched to the PF group (MK and XL instillation) for a 12-week period. Keratoconjunctival epithelium disorder scores and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks.
Results: Keratoconjunctival epithelium disorder scores showed no difference at any point in either group. IOP decreased significantly after 4 weeks compared with the baseline and showed the same value at any point in both groups.
Conclusion: There was no reduction in the ocular surface disorders at any point in either group. IOP decreased significantly in both groups after 4 weeks compared with the baseline, but there was no difference at any point in either group.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 117: 419-426, 2013.