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Eye Pressure Appears To Be Lowered More Significantly With Lumigan (Bimatoprost) Than Xalatan (Latanoprost)

TUCSON, AZ -- January 28, 2003 -- Researchers can see a clearer difference between the two leading glaucoma medications after the results of a well-controlled head-to-head clinical trial showed that patients with glaucoma or elevated eye pressure are able to reduce their pressure more significantly with Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) than with Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution). Results of the study, conducted at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, appear in the January issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

The findings could allow the more than 3 million Americans with glaucoma to treat their condition more aggressively.

"If you lose your vision - or if you even have diminished vision - you have no idea how your life will change," said Sonya Kohlmeyer, of Tucson, who was diagnosed with glaucoma about 14 years ago following a routine eye exam. Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that cause gradual vision loss without warning and often without symptoms, most often occurs due to elevated pressure in the eye (referred to as intraocular pressure or IOP), or blood supply deficiency to the optic nerve. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, eye pressure can be controlled and blindness may be prevented with treatment, which is why Kohlmeyer encourages glaucoma screenings. "Pay attention. Go see your doctor," she said. "It's important."

"The people who get into trouble with glaucoma are the ones who don't know they have it," said the study's lead author, Robert J. Noecker, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The most effective way to treat glaucoma once diagnosed, Noecker said, is to lower eye pressure.

While ophthalmologists have long known of the pressure-lowering ability of Lumigan in practice, Noecker said, the recently published study results now offer statistically significant evidence to establish that Lumigan offers a greater reduction in pressure than Xalatan.

"Our results show that the average reduction in pressure was greater for patients treated with Lumigan at all visits and all time points during the six-month study period," he said. The study observed 269 ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma patients who were randomly assigned to receive once-daily treatment with, either, Lumigan or Xalatan for six months. Patients' eye pressure was then measured at 8 a.m., noon and 4 p.m.

"In addition to the reduction in pressure, our data also showed a significant difference between the numbers of patients who responded to Lumigan compared to those who just did not respond at all to the medication in the Xalatan group," Noecker said. At two of the three measured time points, almost three times as many patients in the Xalatan group failed to respond to treatment compared to patients in the Lumigan group.

About the Study
The randomized, investigator-masked study was conducted in 18 centers around the United States, including the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. The primary efficacy variable was mean IOP change from baseline and the secondary endpoints included mean IOP, percentage of patients reaching target pressure, ophthalmologic examination and adverse events. The most frequently observed adverse event was red eye for both medications. Eyelash growth was reported with both medications. Itching was more common in patients treated with Lumigan, and ocular burning was more common in patients treated with Xalatan.

At month six, investigators observed the mean change from baseline achieved with Lumigan was 1.5 mm Hg, 2.2 mm Hg and 1.2 mm Hg greater than Xalatan at the three time points, respectively. Also, patients treated with Lumigan reached a significantly lower mean IOP-level than patients in the Xalatan group at all time points and at all follow-up visits despite a 0.7 mm Hg higher baseline at the noon time point.

The increased IOP-reduction occurred despite the fact that Lumigan starting IOP was 0.7 mm Hg higher (24 - vs. - 23.3 mm Hg). The UA Department of Ophthalmology is dedicated to preserving healthy eyesight and preventing blindness through innovative research and comprehensive eye care for all patients whose vision is threatened by eye disease or injury.


SOURCE: University of Arizona

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