2013 Current Eye Research, 2013; 38(9): 977–982 ! Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. ISSN: 0271-3683 print / 1460-2202 online DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2013.801495 SHORT COMMUNICATION Effect of Tafluprost 0.0015% on Central Corneal Thickness in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Georgios D. Panos 1 , Aristeidis Konstantinidis 2 , Efstratios Mendrinos 1 , Vassilios Kozobolis 2 , Irfan Perente 2 and Zisis Gatzioufas 1 1 Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva HUG, Switzerland and 2 Department of Ophthalmology, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tafluprost on the central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: This was a prospective study and included 100 eyes of 54 patients with POAG. All patients received tafluprost 0.0015% (Saflutan Õ ) once daily in one or both eyes. CCT was measured by using noncontact pachymetry prior to the treatment and after 6 and 12 months. Results: Mean CCT of all treated eyes (n = 100) was 547.79  29.48 mm at baseline, 535.61  26.54 mm after 6 months and 533.55  26.45 mm after 12 months (Student’s t test, p50.0001). Ninety-three percent of all treated eyes showed a decrease of CCT. CCT reduction was more significant within the first six months of the treatment period (Student’s t test, p50.0001). After 12 months, a CCT reduction 4 25 mm occurred in 5% of all treated eyes. There was a significant positive correlation between the magnitude of corneal thinning and the initial CCT (Pearson, r = 0.49, p50.0001) but not between the magnitude of corneal thinning and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction (Pearson, r = 0.145, p = 0.15). Discussion: Long-term use of tafluprost may decrease the CCT in patients with POAG. Consequently, clinicians must be aware of prolongated CCT variations that may arise throughout the follow-up period for proper IOP targeting and management. Keywords: Central corneal thickness, glaucoma, intraocular pressure, pachymetry, prostaglandins, tafluprost INTRODUCTION Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss worldwide. 1 It is estimated that 8.7 million people are blind due to open – angle and angle – closure glaucoma. 1 Intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the most important parameters in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. The gold standard for IOP measurement is the Goldmann applanation tonome- try (GAT). However, GAT-derived IOP readings may be influenced by central corneal thickness (CCT). 2 CCT has become an important factor in the management of glaucoma due to its influence on IOP measurements. The importance of CCT as a potential risk factor for glaucoma and ocular hyper- tension has also been studied. 3,4 The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, which focused on risk factors for glaucomatous visual field loss and optic nerve head changes in patients with ocular hypertension, suggested that CCT is a strong predict- ive factor. 3 More recent studies have suggested that CCT may be an independent risk factor for progression in patients with open-angle glaucoma as well. 4 Correspondence: Dr. Georgios D. Panos, Department of Ophtalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Alcide – Jentzer 22, CH 1211 Gene `ve 14, Switzerland. Tel: +41 76 745 90 28. Fax: +41 22 382 83 82. E-mail: Georgios.Panos@hcuge.ch Received 8 March 2013; revised 9 April 2013; accepted 29 April 2013; published online 17 May 2013 977