Netarsudil ophthalmic solution is a novel topical intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering agent that has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. Its unique pharmacology allows for IOP lowering as a result of direct reduction in trabecular outflow resistance in addition to a decrease in episcleral venous pressure and aqueous humor production. The efficacy of netarsudil has been shown in animal studies and human clinical trials. It has been shown to be noninferior to the therapy with topical timolol in individuals with baseline IOP <25 mmHg. Importantly, netarsudil has been shown to reduce IOP to the same degree, regardless of baseline levels. There are no known systemic safety issues associated with netarsudil. The most common local adverse effects relate to conjunctival hyperemia. The once-daily dosing schedule is advantageous for individuals who have difficulties with medication adherence. Further studies of a combination of netarsudil and latanoprost agents are currently underway.

The fixed combination of bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% administered once daily was comparable in ocular hypotensive efficacy to the non-fixed combination. The lower propensity of the fixed combination to elicit conjunctival hyperemia suggests a superior comparative benefit/risk assessment of the fixed combination in the treatment of elevated IOP.

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ABSTRACT.Purpose: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of dorzolamide ⁄ timolol fixed combination (DTFC) in timolol responders with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who switched to DTFC because of insufficient control on latanoprost. Methods:We carried out a prospective, open-label cohort study with an active-historical control in which qualifying patients must have been treated with latanoprost monotherapy for at least 4 weeks, must have demonstrated insufficiently controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) ( ‡ 19 mmHg at 08.00 hours), and must have shown a decrease in IOP at 2 hours after timolol instillation of ‡ 3 mmHg or ‡ 15%. Patients then began DTFC dosed at 08.00 hours and 20.00 hours and discontinued latanoprost. Patients were evaluated again after 4 and 12 weeks.Results: In 57 patients IOP was further reduced by 2.4 ± 3.3 mmHg at 08.00 hours (p < 0.0001) and by 3.5 ± 3.3 mmHg at 10.00 hours (p < 0.0001) after switching to DTFC. Responses to the Comparison of Ophthalmic Medications for Tolerability (COMTol) questionnaire showed no difference between DTFC and latanoprost for in terms of overall preference, typical daily activities, limitation of activities, compliance, satisfaction or quality of life (p > 0.05). However, greater frequency in burning and ⁄ or stinging (p < 0.0001) and bitter taste (p < 0.0001) were observed with DTFC, whereas unusual taste (p = 0.02) and itchy eyes (p = 0.05) were associated with latanoprost.Conclusions: This study suggests that patients who are insufficiently controlled on latanoprost monotherapy, and who are timolol responders, can generally achieve further IOP reduction and similar tolerance levels when changed to DTFC.

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Significant additional long-term IOP lowering may be achieved by switching to bimatoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma who are not at target IOP with latanoprost.

A case of arteriosclerotic posterior ischemic optic neuropathy without optic disc edema is described and documented photographically. The development of optic disc cupping and pallor with ischemia in this patient supports the vascular basis for development of similar cupping and pallor in open angle glaucoma and low tension glaucoma.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of bimatoprost 0.01% solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), who were switched from bimatoprost 0.03% solution, compared to patients with POAG who continued on bimatoprost 0.03% solution.MethodsA retrospective review evaluated 35 patients (35 right eyes [OD], 34 left eyes [OS]) who remained on bimatoprost 0.03% and 30 patients (27 OD, 30 OS) who were switched to bimatoprost 0.01% during the period January 8, 2010 to December 26, 2012. Mean IOP was measured 6 and 3 months before the switch, at switch, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the switch. Hyperemia scores were recorded before and after the switch and were compared to a picture scale.ResultsMean IOP in the group that switched was 16.96±5.03 mmHg in OD and 17.67±5.33 mmHg in OS at baseline. Mean IOP postswitch to bimatoprost 0.01% solution was 17.60±4.34 mmHg in OD and 17.00±3.37 mmHg in OS. IOP was not significantly reduced in either OD or OS postswitch to bimatoprost 0.01% (P1=0.5 OD, P2=0.2 OS). The hyperemia scores improved remarkably when bimatoprost 0.03% solution was switched to bimatoprost 0.01% solution (P<0.001).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first switch study evaluating the hypotensive efficacy and tolerability of bimatoprost in a group of patients with open-angle glaucoma. In this study comparing bimatoprost 0.03% and 0.01% solution, we found improved tolerability postswitch to 0.01% from 0.03% bimatoprost, similar efficacy between the two concentrations before and after switch in the same patient population, and similar IOPs comparable to nonswitch bimatoprost 0.03% solution.