Effects of Prostaglandin Analogue Washout Following Long-term Therapy in Adults With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

A target for glaucoma treatment is the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) which is lowered with medications, laser, or surgical intervention. The efficacy of different medication classes is well understood as their IOP lowering effects have been well documented. However, beyond the basic biochemical and pharmacokinetic actions, long-term effects of these drugs on IOP have not been adequately studied. Specifically, does long-term use of anti-glaucoma medications have lasting effects on IOP even with subsequent discontinuation of the medication? In Ontario, prostaglandin analogues are the most frequently prescribed first line anti-glaucoma medication. In our study, we examine the lingering IOP-reducing effects of the prostaglandin analogue anti-glaucoma drug class. Our overall objective is to determine if patients previously treated with prostaglandin analogues remain within acceptable treatment ranges 6 weeks after medication discontinuation, and if this IOP differs from pre-treatment baseline values. Half of participants will discontinue their prostaglandin analogue (PGA) treatment for 6 weeks, while the other half will continue their PGA therapy as prescribed by their ophthalmologist. Both groups will be followed closely throughout the 6 weeks to monitor changes in IOP. This can help us understand the lasting effects of medication use and can help better guide clinical care in optimizing glaucoma management, and help direct study designs of future research that involve any therapy secondary to prostaglandin analogue treatment.

Quality assurance plan: Paper copies of all registry data is securely stored at the site of data collection. Registry data is first de-identified and then stored in an encrypted Master data excel sheet that only research staff have access to.

Data Checks and Source Data Verification: Data is monitored closely and re-assessed frequently by multiple members of the research team to ensure the accuracy of the Master data excel sheet. Registry data will be compared to paper registry copies and patient medical records to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Standard Operating Procedures:

All patients currently being seen by Dr. Hutnik (\~6000) will have their charts reviewed. Personal information will be recorded to allow research staff to contact eligible participants. Clinical information recorded includes: diagnosis, intraocular pressure (IOP) at baseline, IOP at subsequent follow up visits with medication use, medication history, surgical and laser intervention history, visual acuity at baseline and follow-up visits, and visual field mean deviation. Patients fulfilling the inclusion and having none of the exclusion criteria are contacted via telephone by the research staff to invite them to participate in the trial. If they are interested, participants are met with in-person and provided with an information package including a form of consent. Research staff provide detailed description of this study's protocol, risks, and benefits for the patient prior to obtaining informed consent. Patients are also provided with the research teams' contact information should they have any questions or concerns. As part of the information package, participants receive notice that should they experience worrisome signs and symptoms, they should contact their ophthalmologist's office immediately. Following enrolment, participants are given an enveloped that randomizes them two either the control group (continues their eye drop medications) or experimental group (temporarily discontinues eye drop medications). In order to eliminate measurement bias, this allocation is concealed to research staff until completion of the trial. Participants' IOP is measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry at day of allocation (Day 0) and subsequently 7, 21, and 42 days after. In addition, should their IOP increase back to baseline levels prior to their final day of pressure measurement, participants are asked to restart their eye drops and are closely followed to ensure their IOPs return back to their pre-study values. Paper copies of participant signed consent and information form are stored in the research database. Once the assessment is complete, all participants will be debriefed on the nature of the study and potential findings. At the end of trial, participants will resume standard therapy according to Canadian Ophthalmology Society (COS) 2009 Glaucoma Guidelines.

Power analysis using a General Linear Multivariate Model for Power and Sample Size (GLIMMPSE) found that a total patient N value of 87 (154 eyes) was sufficient power for our study

Missing Data: All missing data is documented in the Master data record and will be reported. Participants with missing baseline (pre-treatment) IOP values are excluded from the study. Within-study missing IOP values are accounted for in statistical analysis.

Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis is performed on R. Data is analyzed using a linear mixed effects model fit by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) t-tests with Satterthwaite approximations to compare mean intraocular pressure between control and washout groups at day 0, 7, 21, and 42.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of glaucoma or or ocular hypertension
* Prostaglandin analogue responder \>20% intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction from baseline
* Age \>18 years
* Baseline IOP (pre-treatment) ≥21 mmHg
* Prostaglandin analogue treatment duration \> 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of acute angle closure glaucoma
* Treatment with \> 1 glaucoma medication
* Topical steroid \> 3 consecutive weeks
* Intraocular surgery in last 6 months prior to enrollment
* Glaucoma laser intervention in last 12 months prior to enrollment
* Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) \< 70 letters (EDTRS or Snellen equivalent)
* Visual field mean deviation \<-3