Bimatoprost implant improves long term results in glaucoma treatment

Felipe A. Medeiros, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, and colleagues conducted the study to evaluate the IOP lowering efficacy and safety of 10- and 15-μg bimatoprost implant in subjects with OAG and ocular hypertension (OHT) after initial and repeated administrations.

The randomized phase 3 clinical trial included adults with OAG or OHT in each eye, open iridocorneal angle inferiorly in the study eye by clinical gonioscopy, and study eye baseline IOP (H0; 8 am±1 h) of 22–32 mmHg after washout. Study eyes received bimatoprost implant 10 μg (n=198) or 15 μg (n=198) on Day 1 with readministration at Weeks 16 and 32, or twice-daily topical timolol maleate 0.5% (n=198). IOP was measured at Hours 0 and 2 at each visit.

Primary endpoints were IOP and change from baseline IOP through Week 12. 

"Ongoing studies are evaluating other administration regimens to reduce the potential for CECD loss. The bimatoprost implant has the potential to improve adherence and reduce treatment burden in glaucoma," concluded the authors. 

The study, "Phase 3, Randomized, 20-Month Study of Bimatoprost Implant in Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (ARTEMIS 1)," is published in the journal Ophthalmology.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.06.018