A comfort comparison of travoprost BAK-free 0.004% versus latanoprost 0.005% in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

PURPOSE: To determine the short-term comfort after a single dose of travoprost BAK-free compared to latanoprost in primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertensive patients. DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked, randomized comparison of two separate active agents dosed once in opposite eyes. METHODS: At Visit 1, qualified patients began a glaucoma medicine-free period for three days. At Visit 2, patients were randomly assigned to travoprost BAK-free or latanoprost in opposite eyes. Following dosing in each eye, patients completed a visual analog scale (VAS score, 0–100 mm) at specified time intervals and a comfort survey. RESULTS: In 54 completed subjects, no difference existed five seconds after dosing, in comfort on the VAS between latanoprost (7.1 ± 16.2 mm) and travoprost BAK-free (7.8 ± 16.1 mm, P = 0.53). Also no differences existed between treatments following dosing for discomfort at individual timepoints past five seconds, peak discomfort or the time required to return to baseline comfort (P > 0.05). In addition, the comfort survey demonstrated no difference between products for burning, stinging, foreign body sensation, overall comfort and general acceptance between the products, both for absolute levels and changes from baseline (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Following a single instillation, both latanoprost and travoprost BAK-free exhibit similar comfort scores.