[Axial length of the ocular globe and hypotensive effect in glaucoma therapy with prostaglandin analogs].

Purpose: To observe the possible correlations between the hypotensive effect of the prostaglandin analogs and the axial length of the ocular globe.

Method: A prospective, observational and randomized study (one year) on 27 patients with POAG treated by prostaglandin analogs monotherapy. The patients have been divided in two groups according to the type of the prostaglandin analogs used: group A - 12 patients - travoprost 0,004 % (Travatan) and group B - 15 patients - latanoprost 0,005 % (Xalatan). The IOP and the axial length have been evaluated at the beginning of the study and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months using Goldmann aplanotonometry and echo-biometry. The results have been statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon test.

Results: The mean IOP reduction was similar in both groups, without statistically significant differences. Between the IOP reductions and the axial length of the ocular globe were demonstrated significant correlations according to the patients distribution on the echo-biometry results.

Conclusions: The IOP reduction with prostaglandin analogs monotherapy may also depend of the axial length of the ocular globe.