Preservative-free tafluprost/timolol fixed combination: a new opportunity in the treatment of glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Medical therapy of glaucoma aims to maintain the patient’s visual function and quality of life. This generally commences with monotherapy, but it is often difficult to reach the predetermined target pressure with this approach. Fixed combinations (FCs) are therefore selected as the next step of the medical therapy algorithm. By employing a prostaglandin/timolol fixed combination (PTFC) the desired target 24-hour intraocular pressure can be reached in many glaucoma patients with the convenience of once-a-day administration and the associated high rate of adherence.

Areas covered: The current role and value of FCs in the medical therapy of glaucoma is critically appraised. Special attention is paid to the PTFCs and the emerging role of preservative-free PTFCs. This review summarizes existing information on the efficacy and tolerability of the new preservative-free tafluprost/timolol FC (Taptiqom®).

Expert opinion: The preservative-free tafluprost/timolol FC represents a promising stepwise treatment option for those patients whose intraocular pressure is insufficiently controlled with available monotherapy options. This novel FC has the potential to substantially improve glaucoma management and through evolution of the current glaucoma treatment paradigm, to become a core therapeutic option in the future. Nonetheless, future research is needed to better delineate the therapeutic role of current and future preservative-free FCs in glaucoma therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Glaucoma
• preservative-free fixed combination therapy
• tafluprost
• timolol
• tafluprost/timolol fixed combination
• Taptiqom®

Declaration of interests

The authors were supported in part by Santen. AGP Konstas has received grants and honoraria from Alcon, Allergan and Santen. G Holló has received grants and honoraria from Alcon and Santen. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.