Bimatoprost does not appear to increase flare-ups in patients with uveitic glaucoma

Researchers retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with uveitic glaucoma seen at a single hospital over a two-year period

Of the 42 patients (59 eyes) bimatoprost, 12 patients had used other topical lipid agents, which were replaced by bimatoprost; 23 patients had not used any lipid agents and bimatoprost was added to their existing antiglaucoma regimen and seven patients were newly diagnosed with uveitic glaucoma and were started on bimatoprost.

While patients on bimatoprost experienced fewer flares compared with those on other antiglaucoma therapy, the difference was statistically insignificant. The rate of uveitis flares while on other antiglaucoma therapy was 52 per 100 person-years follow-up, while on bimatoprost therapy it was 32.4 per 100 person-years follow-up (P = .206).

The data did suggest that bimatoprost is an effective IOP-lowering medication in patients with uveitic glaucoma in whom the uveitis is controlled on immunomodulatory therapy The mean IOP prior to bimatoprost therapy was 27 ± 13.2 mm Hg and after initiation of topical bimatoprost was 15 ± 5.5 mm Hg at the end of six months (P = .0008).