AIM: To compare the short-term efficacy of domestic and imported prostaglandins(PGs)for patients first diagnosed as primary open angle glaucoma.

METHODS: This study was a prospective positive drug control trial and 338 patients diagnosed as primary open angle glaucoma at the first time. According to patients' wills, they were divided into the experiment group(181 cases)and the control group(157 cases). Domestic latanoprost eye drops with 0.05g/L was used for 3mo in the experimental group while imported travoprost eye drops with 0.04g/L was used in the control group for 3mo. All patients were typically treated at 21:00 every day within a 3mo period. Intraocular pressure(IOP)was measured before treatments and post treatments at 1, 2 and 3mo respectively, in each group.

RESULTS: For the experimental group, IOP was 28.32±5.72, 21.84±4.63, 19.53±4.04 and 18.15±3.35mmHg before treatments and post treatments at 1,2 and 3mo respectively, showing a significant difference among various time points(F=370.019,P=0.000),and the IOPs were markedly lower post treatments than those before treatments(all P<0.01). For the control group, IOP was 27.6±5.14, 21.91±5.22,19.80±4.26 and 18.76±3.46mmHg before treatments and post treatments at 1,2 and 3mo respectively, showing a significant difference among various time points(F=306.052,P=0.000),and the IOP were markedly lower post treatments than those before treatments(all P<0.01). The difference of IOP level was not significant at post-treatment 1, 2 and 3mo respectively between two groups(P=0.144,0.456, 0.051).

CONCLUSION: Domestic latanoprost eye drops can reduce IOP effectively, with a suitable price, and it can be used as a first choice for primary open angle glaucoma patients in the basic-level hospitals.