[Influence of topical latanoprost on foveal thickness in eyes that underwent uneventful cataract surgery].

Purpose: To study prospectively using optical coherence tomography whether topical latanoprost induces retinal disorders in patients that underwent cataract surgery.

Methods: Randomized, masked-observer, one-month clinical trial. Pseudophakic patients were treated with latanoprost (n=10) or lubricant drop q.d. (control group) (n=10). Half of the patients of each group presented ruptured posterior capsule (Nd:YAG laser). We evaluated the blood-retinal barrier status assessed by optical coherence tomography measurement of retinal thickness in the fovea. Before the beginning of the study and after 15 and 30 days of treatment, optical coherence tomography images were taken, and the visual acuity examination was performed.

Results: There was no statistically significant increase in mean foveal thickness when patients instilled placebo (P>0.0610). A statistically significant increase in retinal thickness in the fovea was observed when patients instilled latanoprost (P<0.0004). No changes were observed in visual acuity in both groups. Mean retinal thickness in the fovea was significantly higher in the latanoprost group (P<0.0007). The mean foveal thickness in latanoprost treated eyes with ruptured posterior capsule was statistically greater when compared with that of intact posterior capsule (P<0.0461). When comparing only the patients with that of intact posterior capsule, there was a statistically significant difference in foveal thickness between patients treated with latanoprost (236.4 +/- 29.4 mm) and placebo (197.8 +/- 19.3 mm) only at 30 days of treatment.

Conclusions: Latanoprost may lead to disruption of the blood-retinal barrier in pseudophakic patients, and is more probable to occur in patients with ruptured posterior capsule.