Comparison of preserved bimatoprost 0.01% with preservative-free tafluprost: A randomised, investigator-masked, 3-month crossover, multicentre trial, SPORT II

Importance: This study compares the efficacy and tolerability of a preservative-free prostaglandin analogue (tafluprost 15 mg/ml) to a prostaglandin analogue that uses 0.02% of benzalkonium chloride (bimatoprost 0.1 mg/ml). Background: Different prostaglandin analogues have been commercially approved, with differences in tolerability. Design: Prospective, randomised, investigator-masked, 3-month crossover, multicentre trial. Participants: Sixty-four patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma were randomised to two groups, after a 4-week washout period from their current topical drop regimen. Methods: Participants were randomised to tafluprost (Group 1; n = 33) or bimatoprost (Group 2; n = 31). At month 3, each group switched to the opposite treatment. IOP was evaluated at multiple timepoints. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was difference in mean IOP between the two groups at the final visit. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline IOP at month 3 and month 6, difference in mean IOP at month 3 and difference in IOP at all timepoints. Safety outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), adverse events, ocular tolerability, optic nerve assessment and slit lamp biomicroscopy. Results: Both medications significantly lowered IOP at month 6 compared to baseline: 5.4 mmHg (27%) for tafluprost and 6.8 mmHg (33%) for bimatoprost (p < 0.0001). No significant differences in any of the safety measures (including conjunctival hypearemia) were detected. Conclusions and relevance: Bimatoprost produced a statistically significant greater IOP reduction compared to tafluprost with minimal to no difference in side effects. This should be borne in mind when weighing up the pros and cons of preserved versus preservative-free prostaglandin analogue therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02471105.