Effectiveness of netarsudil 0.02% in lowering intraocular pressure in patients with secondary glaucoma

by Selleckchem | Sep 27 2023

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of netarsudil, 0.02% in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with secondary forms of glaucoma.

Methods: A total of 77 patients (98 eyes) with either primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or secondary glaucoma were reviewed retrospectively over the course of 1 year after starting netarsudil. The secondary glaucoma group was comprised of patients with uveitic, pseudoexfoliative, neovascular, congenital, and other forms of secondary glaucoma. Patient IOP measurements were collected at baseline and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Two sample t tests and 1-way analysis of variance were used to determine differences in IOP reductions following netarsudil treatment.

Results: Patients with POAG or secondary glaucomas were matched for age (mean ± SD: 69.1 ± 16.0 years vs. 64.5 ± 21.2 years; p = 0.30). Both the POAG and secondary glaucoma patients exhibited significant decreases in IOP at each time point (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) when compared with baseline (p < 0.05). Both groups showed similar overall decreases in IOP from baseline after 1 year of treatment (6.0 ± 4.5 mm Hg vs. 6.6 ± 8.4 mm Hg; p = 0.70). Forty-sex percent of POAG patients achieved an IOP of <14 mm Hg compared with 17% of secondary glaucoma patients. Among the secondary glaucoma subtypes, netarsudil was found to be most effective for treating uveitic glaucoma, showing a decrease in IOP of 9.5 mm Hg after 12 months (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Netarsudil is effective in lowering IOP in patients with certain forms of secondary glaucoma and should be considered for IOP management in those with uveitic glaucoma.

Comments:

Based on the retrospective study described, it was found that netarsudil, 0.02%, was effective in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with secondary forms of glaucoma. The study included a total of 77 patients with either primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or secondary glaucoma, including uveitic, pseudoexfoliative, neovascular, congenital, and other forms of secondary glaucoma.

The patients' IOP measurements were collected at baseline and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals after starting netarsudil treatment. The results showed that both the POAG and secondary glaucoma patients experienced significant decreases in IOP at each time point compared to baseline (p < 0.05).

When comparing the overall IOP reductions after 1 year of treatment, both groups exhibited similar decreases from baseline (6.0 ± 4.5 mm Hg vs. 6.6 ± 8.4 mm Hg; p = 0.70). However, it's worth noting that a higher percentage of POAG patients (46%) achieved an IOP of less than 14 mm Hg compared to secondary glaucoma patients (17%).

Among the different subtypes of secondary glaucoma, netarsudil was found to be particularly effective in treating uveitic glaucoma. In this subgroup, a significant decrease in IOP of 9.5 mm Hg was observed after 12 months of treatment (p = 0.02).

In conclusion, the study suggests that netarsudil, 0.02%, is an effective option for lowering IOP in patients with certain forms of secondary glaucoma. Specifically, it is recommended for the management of IOP in patients with uveitic glaucoma. It's important to note that this conclusion is based on a retrospective study, and further research, such as prospective clinical trials, may be needed to confirm the effectiveness of netarsudil in these patient populations.