Comparison of intraocular pressure-lowering effect of every night versus every other night dosing of bimatoprost 0.03%.

Purpose: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction profiles of bimatoprost 0.03% administered every other night (QOD-HS) compared with every night (QHS) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 68 eyes of 45 consecutive patients who were switched from QHS to QOD-HS bimatoprost due to intolerable conjunctival hyperemia between May 2005 and May 2008. IOP in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) of the next day after administration (day 1) and the day after (day 2) on QOD-HS regimen was compared with IOP in the AM and PM when they were on QHS regimen, 4-6 weeks after switching to QOD-HS.

Results: Mean IOPs on QHS bimatoprost were 15.9±3.4 mm Hg in the AM and 15.5±2.7 mm Hg in the PM, whereas mean IOPs on QOD-HS were 14±2 mm Hg (AM) and 14.2±2.5 mm Hg (PM) on day 1, and 14.7±2.6 mm Hg (AM) and 14.4±2.4 mm Hg (PM) on day 2 after administration. Differences between IOP fluctuation on QHS and QOD-HS days 1 and 2, respectively, were not significant (P=0.87 and 0.94).

Conclusion: Every other night dosing of bimatoprost was effective in controlling IOP in this select group of patients with primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma who had troublesome side effects on bimatoprost 0.03% QHS regimen, and may be considered as an alternative to every day treatment.