Role of Topical Travoprost in Non Syndromic (simple) Axial Myopia in Young Persons

Purpose: To evaluate the role of topical Travoprost 0.004% eye drops inreducing simple axial myopia in young patients.Material and Methods: This case and control study was conducted on 45 youngpatients of either sex from 18 to 25 years old, who were selected by independentrandom sampling technique. Patients having best corrected visual acuity of 6/6in both eyes, axial length more than 24 mm, myopia of -1.0 D to -4.0 D, andintraocular pressure of 16 to 20 mm Hg were registered for the study. Afterinformed consent, slit lamp examination of anterior and posterior segment wasdone. Intra-ocular pressure and axial length were measured. Travoprost .004%eye drops were used in one eye once daily in the evening for four months. Thefellow eye was kept as control. Follow up was done every month up to sixmonths. On each visit best corrected visual acuity, axial length, and IOP wereexamined. Any complaint or complication was also noted and results werecompiled.Results: In these forty five patients reduction of myopia in treated eye was seenin 24 (53.33%), stabilization of myopia in 13 (28.88%), and increase in myopiawas seen in 08(17.77%) patients. In these patients IOP 7.2445 mm Hg, axiallength 0.2089 mm, and myopia -0.4444 D was reduced (P-value less than .05,as compared to fellow control eye where axial length and myopia increased by0.1423 mm and -0.0478 D respectively. Despite IOP decreased by 1.0889 mmHg. P-value was again less than .05. Temporary headache in 8 (17.77%),Conjunctival congestion in 16(35%) patients. Complication of darkening andlengthening of lashes were noted to variable degree in all treated eyes.Conclusions: Topical Travoprost 0.004% eye drops is effective in reducing axialmyopia in young persons.Key words: Myopia, refraction, axial length, IOP, Travoprost eye drops, Youngpatients.