Yuko Maruyama1,2, Yoko Ikeda1,3, Kazuhiko Mori1, Kengo Yoshii4, Morio Ueno1, Chie Sotozono1, Shigeru Kinoshita5. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto First Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto, Japan. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Oike-Ganka Ikeda Clinic, Kyoto, Japan. 4. Department of Mathematics and Statistics in Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. 5. Department of Frontier Medical Science and Technology for Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract
Purpose: Rho-associated kinase-inhibitor ripasudil 0.4% eye drops are reportedly effective for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. However, the previous studies investigated the efficacy of IOP reduction for only about 1 year. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of long-term ripasudil instillation in Japanese open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. Methods: This study involved 312 eyes of 312 Japanese OAG patients newly initiated with ripasudil treatment at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and Oike-Ikeda Eye Clinic, Kyoto, Japan. In all patients, adverse events leading to discontinuation of ripasudil treatment were investigated. Of the 312 patients, 129 patients able to continue ripasudil administration for over 12-months post-treatment initiation were enrolled to investigate the long-term efficacy. IOP data at 0-, 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post initiation of continuous ripasudil use were obtained, and the IOP values at each time point were then compared. The first period (from 1-6 months) and second period (from 12-24 months) IOP data were also compared based on the mixed model. Results: IOP at each time-point post-treatment initiation was significantly reduced compared with that at pre initiation (P < 0.05). Differences in IOP between the first and second periods of the study were not statistically significant (P = 0.058). Adverse events leading to discontinuation of treatment included blepharitis (15.7%) and conjunctival hyperemia (9.0%). Conclusions: We found that in Japanese OAG patients, 24-month ripasudil eye drop instillation is both safe and effective for lowering IOP and that blepharitis is the primary adverse event for discontinuation of use.
Purpose: Rho-associated kinase-inhibitor ripasudil 0.4% eye drops are reportedly effective for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomapatients. However, the previous studies investigated the efficacy of IOP reduction for only about 1 year. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of long-term ripasudil instillation in Japanese open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. Methods: This study involved 312 eyes of 312 Japanese OAGpatients newly initiated with ripasudil treatment at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and Oike-Ikeda Eye Clinic, Kyoto, Japan. In all patients, adverse events leading to discontinuation of ripasudil treatment were investigated. Of the 312 patients, 129 patients able to continue ripasudil administration for over 12-months post-treatment initiation were enrolled to investigate the long-term efficacy. IOP data at 0-, 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post initiation of continuous ripasudil use were obtained, and the IOP values at each time point were then compared. The first period (from 1-6 months) and second period (from 12-24 months) IOP data were also compared based on the mixed model. Results: IOP at each time-point post-treatment initiation was significantly reduced compared with that at pre initiation (P < 0.05). Differences in IOP between the first and second periods of the study were not statistically significant (P = 0.058). Adverse events leading to discontinuation of treatment included blepharitis (15.7%) and conjunctival hyperemia (9.0%). Conclusions: We found that in Japanese OAGpatients, 24-month ripasudil eye drop instillation is both safe and effective for lowering IOP and that blepharitis is the primary adverse event for discontinuation of use.