The effect of latanoprost and influence of changes in body position on patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some patients have an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the supine position (IOPSP). It has been suggested that topical latanoprost 0.005% (LP) has an attenuating effect on these IOP elevations. The Authors report a simple procedure to evaluate the change in the IOPSP. This paper presents the results of the change in the IOPSP in normals, in patients with ocular hypertension (OH) and in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The study also evaluates the effect of the addition of topical LP on those patients with an elevation of their IOPSP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Part 1 evaluated the change in the IOPSP in the morning in 40 eyes of normals, 82 eyes in patients with OH and 77 eyes in patients with POAG. The IOP was measured before and after lying in the supine position (SP) for 90 minutes. In part 2 the patients with OH or POAG with an increase in their IOPSP were selected and the test was repeated again after the addition of topical LP. RESULTS: When compared with normals, the patients with OH and POAG had significantly greater IOPSP increases. The patients with POAG had significantly greater IOPSP increases than did those with OH. The addition of LP partially decreased but did not eliminate the IOP increases in the SP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OH and POAG have a larger increase in their IOPSP than do normals. The addition of topical LP partially decreased but did not totally eliminate these pressure increases.