Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of chronic ocular diseases characterized by a loss of the retinal nerve fiber layer and consequent damage to the optic nerve head. Increased intraocular pressure is considered a major risk factor for development of the disease. If glaucoma left untreated, visual field impairment and complete visual loss can occur. Due to the effective reduction of intraocular pressure, prostaglandin analog-timolol fixed combinations (FC) are considered to be a mainstay in glaucoma treatment. However, it is well known that long-term use of preservatives in glaucoma drops leads to ocular surface disease (OSD) which causes low tolerability and nonadherence with prescribed therapy.
The study is designed to determine whether switching from a preserved prostaglandin analog- timolol FC to an equally effective and safe preservative - free latanoprost - timolol FC can result in alleviation or elimination of OSD and improvement of local tolerability.
In this study, on each visit (V1, V2 and V3) following tests will be performed: Snellen visual acuity, IOP measurement by Goldman applanation tonometry, OSD signs assessment on the slit lamp (fluorescein corneal and conjunctival fluorescein surface staining, conjunctival hyperemia and tear film stability assessment using Tear Break- up Time test -TBUT). The subjective evaluation of drug tolerability will be quantified by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The evaluation of the association of quality of life and dry eye symptoms in respondents will be examined with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire.
