Switching from concomitant therapy to tafluprost/timolol fixed combination

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tafluprost/timolol fixed combination (TTFC). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma, who had used tafluprost and timolol gel for at least 3 months with good adherence, were enrolled. Concomitant administration of tafluprost and timolol was switched to TTFC without a washout period. The intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, pulse rate, and ocular signs were compared between before switching (baseline), and 4 and 8 weeks after switching. A questionnaire survey was also performed 4 weeks after switching to investigate ocular comfort and patient preferences. RESULTS: The IOP showed no significant change after switching to TTFC (14.8 ± 2.8, 14.6 ± 3.4, and 14.8 ± 3.7 mmHg at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8, respectively). The pulse rate and systolic blood pressure showed no changes, but diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower at Week 8. At baseline, fluorescein staining revealed corneal abnormalities in 3 patients, which resolved by Week 8 in 1 patient. Hyperemia was noted in 2 patients at baseline, and this also resolved by Week 8 in 1 patient. Three patients discontinued study treatment for the following reasons (1 patient each): blurred vision; ocular irritation, eyelid erythema, and asthenopia; and loss to follow-up from Week 8. The questionnaire survey revealed no significant differences between the 2 treatments, although more patients preferred TTFC. CONCLUSION: Among 28 patients enrolled, only 2 patients discontinued the study treatment due to adverse reactions. In patients whose adherence was considered relatively good to concomitant therapy, switching to TTFC achieved similar IOP control with good safety and a high level of patient acceptance.