Ultrasound biomicroscopic study of the effects of topical latanoprost on the anterior segment and ciliary body thickness in dogs

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical latanoprost on the anterior segment and ciliary body using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: This study included six eyes of six clinically normal beagles. PROCEDURES: UBM scans were performed on six sedated dogs before and 2 h after topical latanoprost instillation. From the next day on, latanoprost was topically applied twice daily for 7 days. After 1 week of instillation, the UBM scans were repeated. The ciliary body thickness (CBT) and the anterior segment parameters, including the iridocorneal angle (ICA), the width of the ciliary cleft (CC) entry, the length of the CC, and the width of the mid-CC, were measured. RESULTS: The topical latanoprost decreased the ICA and CC entry width and increased the mid-CC width without any significant alterations in the CC length. There were time-dependent alterations in the CBT: a reduction in the CBT after 2 h of instillation and rebound thickening after 1 week of instillation. CONCLUSIONS: The topical latanoprost widened the ciliary cleft despite the narrowing of the ICA and CC entry. Time-dependent alterations in the CBT were demonstrated by the UBM and might be a reflection of the mechanism of the uveoscleral outflow enhancement induced by the topical latanoprost.