Bimatoprost implant improves long term results in glaucoma treatment

USA: The bimatoprost implant has the potential to improve adherence and reduce the treatment burden in glaucoma, according to a recent study published in the journal Ophthalmology. Results from the phase III study revealed that both 10-µg and 15-µg implants are efficient in maintaining lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) for up to 12 months after the final implant placement.

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a vision-threatening, chronic, irreversible disease that requires IOP lowering treatment for slowing or preventing the disease progression. As the disease advances, the economic costs of glaucoma increases and quality of life decreases due to which early management and adherence to treatment are important.

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.