Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Apr 26:4:203-9.
doi: 10.2147/opth.s9716.

Incidence, severity and factors related to drug-induced keratoepitheliopathy with glaucoma medications

Takeo Fukuchi  1 , Kimiko Wakai, Kieko Suda, Tomoko Nakatsue, Hideko Sawada, Hiroaki Hara, Jun Ueda, Takayuki Tanaka, Akiko Yamada, Haruki Abe
Affiliations

Incidence, severity and factors related to drug-induced keratoepitheliopathy with glaucoma medications

Takeo Fukuchi et al. Clin Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, severity, and factors related to drug-induced keratoepitheliopathy in eyes using antiglaucoma eye drops.

Patients and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 749 eyes from 427 patients who had used one or more antiglaucoma eye drops were examined at Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital or related facilities. The incidence and severity of superficial punctate keratitis (SPK), patient gender and age, type of glaucoma, and type of eye drops were recorded. SPK was graded according to the AD (A, area; D, density) classification. The severity score (SS) was calculated from A x D.

Results: SPK was observed in 382 (51.0%) of 749 eyes that had received any type of antiglaucoma eye drops. While 254 eyes (33.9%) were classified as A1D1 (SS 1), 34 eyes (4.6%) had severe SPK with SS 4 or more. The number of eye drops and the total dosing frequency per day were significantly greater in SPK-positive eyes than in eyes without SPK. The number of eye drops was proportional to the frequency and severity of SPK. Among eyes that were treated with three or more eye drops, SPK was more severe and more frequent in older patients (>/=71 years). In addition, a considerable difference was detected for each type of glaucoma.

Conclusion: Drug-induced keratoepitheliopathy is often observed in eyes that have received recent antiglaucoma eye drops. The number of eye drops, the total dose frequency per day, patient age, and type of glaucoma may affect this condition. We have to consider not only the effects on intraocular pressure but also the incidence and severity of drug-induced keratoepitheliopathy as a frequent side effect of glaucoma medications.

Keywords: AD classification; eye drops; glaucoma; keratoepitheliopathy; medications.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The number of eyedrops and SPK severity score (SS). Abbreviation: SPK, superficial punctate keratitis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The total dose frequency per day and the SPK severity score (SS). Abbreviation: SPK, superficial punctate keratitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Alm A, Stjernschantz J. Effect on intraocular pressure and side effect of 0.005% latanoprost applied once daily, evening or morning. Ophthalmology. 1995;102(12):1743–1752. - PubMed
    1. Watson P, Stjernschantz J. A six-month, randomized, double-masked study comparing latanoprost with timolol in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Ophthalmology. 1996;103(1):126–137. - PubMed
    1. Camras CB The United States latanoprost study group. Comparison of latanoprost and timolol in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Ophthalmology. 1996;103(1):138–147. - PubMed
    1. Lewis RA, Katz GJ, Weiss MJ, et al. Travoprost 0.004% with and without benzalkonium chloride: A comparison of safety and efficacy. J Glaucoma. 2007;16(1):98–103. - PubMed
    1. Gross RL, Peace JH, Smith SE, et al. Duration of IOP reduction with travoprost BAC-free solution. J Glaucoma. 2008;17(3):217–222. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources