In vitro effects of preservative-free tafluprost and preserved latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost in a conjunctival epithelial cell line.

PURPOSE: This study compared the toxicity profiles of three antiglaucoma prostaglandin F2alpha analogs, latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost which contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK), with tafluprost, a new preservative-free prostaglandin analog.
METHODS: IOBA-NHC cells were exposed to BAK-containing prostanoid solutions, their respective BAK concentrations, and preservative-free tafluprost solution for 30 min. Membrane integrity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cells morphology were evaluated.
RESULTS: Preservative-free tafluprost resulted in significantly higher membrane integrity and lower pro-apoptotic and pro-oxidative effects than preservative-containing prostaglandin analog preparations.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tafluprost, a new preservative-free prostaglandin analog, has very low or no pro-apoptotic, pro-necrotic, or pro-oxidative effects in vitro compared to preservative-containing formulations.