Effect of latanoprost on thyroid orbitopathy

ABSTRACT

Background: Prostaglandin F2α analogues are known to reduce human orbital fibroblasts proliferation and adipogenesis and may be used as a potential therapy for treatment of thyroid orbitopathy. The aim of this study was to identify any beneficial effect of latanoprost on thyroid orbitopathy, in the form of reduction in proptosis, secondary to prostaglandin associated periorbitopathy.

Methods: A retrospective case review of 11 patients (22 eyes) with thyroid eye disease who were using latanoprost for management of ocular hypertension. Patients receiving systemic immunosuppressants were excluded. Orbital imaging was analysed where available. A change in proptosis was analysed based on Hertel exophthalmometry.

Results: Three patients (27%) had ≥ 2 mm reduction in proptosis and they all had fat predominant thyroid orbitopathy, as evident on orbital imaging. Proptosis remained unchanged or improved by less than 2mm in the rest of the patients (73%). Overall, mean pre treatment exophthalmometry was 22.4 mm (range 15–30 mm) and mean post treatment exophthalmometry was 20.6 mm (range 15–29 mm).

Conclusion: Latanoprost was well tolerated in patients with thyroid orbitopathy. Objective reduction in proptosis of 2mm or more was noted in 3 patients (27%) and none of the patients had an increase in proptosis. The improvement in proptosis may be more pronounced in patients with fat predominant orbits.

KEYWORDS:

• Latanoprost
• prostaglandin analogues
• proptosis
• thyroid orbitopathy

Declaration of interest

The authors have no 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. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.