Studies whether certain glaucoma eye drops protect retinal nerve cells over time
Compares eye drop types in adults with glaucoma, looking at retinal nerve cell survival.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection Under Prostaglandin Analogues
Key facts
- Where
- Bonn and Leipzig, GermanySee the 2 sites
Where in Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology University of BonnBonn, GermanyNo longer taking part
- University Eye Hospital LeipzigLeipzig, GermanyNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image
- Trial code
- NCT07074782
- Record updated
- 6 May 2026
- Original description
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate whether prostaglandin analogue eye drops have a direct neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells - beyond their intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect - in adult patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The study includes individuals diagnosed with glaucoma (any sex/gender, adult age groups) undergoing standard clinical treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection Under Prostaglandin Analogues: NEUROPA - a Retrospective Cohort Study
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate whether prostaglandin analogue eye drops have a direct neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells - beyond their intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect - in adult patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The study includes individuals diagnosed with glaucoma (any sex/gender, adult age groups) undergoing standard clinical treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Do prostaglandin analogues provide a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells that is independent of their IOP-lowering properties? * Should prostaglandin analogues be promoted/favoured over other IOP-lowering compounds for long-term glaucoma management?
Researchers will compare an interventional group, which consist of 750 eyes treated with prostaglandin analogues (e.g., latanoprost, travoprost, tafluprost, bimatoprost, unoprostone), with a control group, which consist of 750 eyes treated with non-prostaglandin IOP-lowering compounds (e.g., timolol, dorzolamide, brimonidine, netarsudil) to see if treatment with prostaglandin analogues is associated with better retinal ganglion cell survival over a period of 3 years (36 months).
Data will be collected from individuals who had at least 36 months of documented follow-up, with clinical data available at approximately 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Eligible individuals must have been treated with either prostaglandin analogues or other intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering agents as part of routine clinical care. The data to be obtained from medical records will include at least:
* Intraocular pressure readings * Visual field testing * OCT measures * Visual acuity * Adverse events * Treatment adherence/compliance * Additional glaucoma interventions
Inclusion: Age 18+ years; Established glaucoma diagnosis (primary open-angle glaucoma, normal tension Glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, pigmentary dispersion glaucoma) in either eye; Visual field mean deviation (MD; location-weighted mean difference from average age-corrected visual field sensitivity) of 2 visual fields differing by no more than 3 dB, for a mean deviation of better than -6.0 dB, or by no more than 4 dB, for a mean deviation worse than -6.0 dB, as measured using Humphrey perimetry (or equivalent Haag-Streit / Octopus; in at least one eye; analogous to The United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study); Treatment with either prostaglandin analogues only or another topically applied IOP-lowering compound only for at least 3 years; Documented follow-up period of at least 3 years; At least 6 patient visits documented over the follow-up period with readings of IOP, visual field, OCT; No additional glaucoma intervention apart from laser trabeculoplasty and/or cataract surgery during the observational period.
Exclusion: Low compliance/therapy interruption; Beginning of combination therapy of prostaglandin analogues and other IOP lowering eye drops during the observation period; Additional glaucoma intervention during the observational period other than laser trabeculoplasty and/or cataract surgery; Follow-up period < 3 years; Number of patient visits <6 visits; Number of OCT, visual field readings during the observation period < 6; In case of glaucoma diagnosis in both eyes: different topical IOP-lowering treatment regimes (e.g. prostaglandin analogues in one eye and beta-adrenergic blocking agents in the fellow eye).