Effects of preservative-free tafluprost on tear film osmolarity, tolerability, and intraocular pressure in previously treated patients with open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE To compare the effects on tolerability, tear osmolarity, and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of switching from benzalkonium chloride (BAK) containing prostaglandin analog (PGA) latanoprost to preservative-free tafluprost. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with open-angle glaucoma (N = 60 eyes), 26 women (87%) and four men (13%) aged 64.1 (SD 14.1) years, showing abnormal values of tear osmolarity, corneal fluorescein staining, tear film break-up time (TBUT), or subjective discomfort with current latanoprost treatment were included. After tear osmolarity (TearLab™ Osmolarity System), TBUT, corneal fluorescein staining, and baseline IOP (Goldmann tonometer) measurements and the completion of Ocular Surface Disease Index and Ocular Surface Symptoms in Glaucoma Scale questionnaires, patients were assigned to preservative-free tafluprost treatment. Measurements were repeated 2, 6 and 12 weeks after change of medication. RESULTS No statistically significant differences in IOP were observed 2, 6, and 12 weeks after switching to preservative-free tafluprost. Mean IOP at baseline was 16.4 mmHg (SD 2.9), after 2 weeks 16.2 mmHg (2.8), after 6 weeks 16.2 (2.6), and after 12 weeks 16.3 mmHg (2.3). Mean tear osmolarity decreased significantly from 315.7 mOsm/L (SD 15.1) at baseline to 308.0 ± 14.4 mOsm/L (P = 0.002), 301.7 ± 14.5 mOsm/L (P < 0.001), and 302.0 ± 9.9 mOsm/L (P < 0.001) 2, 6, and 12 weeks after changing medication to preservative-free tafluprost, respectively. Tear osmolarity was lower in 37 eyes (61.7%) after 2 weeks, in 46 eyes (76.7%) after 6 weeks, and in 49 eyes (81.7%) after 12 weeks (P < 0.005; t-test). At baseline corneal fluorescein staining was observed in 43 eyes (71.7%), after 2 weeks in 34 eyes (56.7%), after 6 weeks in 12 eyes (20.0%), and after 12 weeks in 7 eyes (11.7%) (P < 0.005; McNemar test). Mean TBUT increased from 3.7 seconds (SD 1.1) at baseline to 4.1 seconds (SD 1.0) at week 2, 5.2 seconds (SD 1.5) at week 6, and 6.5 seconds (SD 1.5) at week 12 (P < 0.001; t-test). The number of patients expressing discomfort with latanoprost diminished from 30 (100%) at baseline, to 19 (63.3%) after week 2, and to 11 (36.6%) (P < 0.05; McNemar test) after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION Preservative-free tafluprost is better tolerated than BAK-containing latanoprost, showing lower tear osmolarity levels while maintaining effective IOP control.