short-term vs long-term effects of latanoprost on tear test, iop, and pupil size in dogs

Background: glaucoma poses a significant challenge in veterinary medicine, necessitating effective management strategies to mitigate vision loss. prostaglandin analogs like latanoprost offer promising avenues due to their ability to lower intraocular pressure (iop). however, a comprehensive understanding of latanoprost’s short-term and long-term effects on ocular parameters in dogs remains limited.objectives: this study aims to compare the effects of short-acting versus long-acting latanoprost on the schirmer tear test (stt), iop and pupil size in clinically normal dogs, highlighting its potential applications in veterinary ophthalmology. by examining both short-term and long-term impacts, this study offers novel insights into the temporal pharmacological effects of latanoprost.methods: twenty healthy adult male crossbred dogs underwent thorough baseline assessments before receiving either latanoprost or saline drops in randomly chosen eyes. the stt, iop and pupil size were measured at various intervals using standardized protocols. statistical analyses were conducted to compare treated and untreated eyes.results: short-term analysis revealed a significant iop reduction at 6 and 8 h post-latanoprost instillation, with no significant changes in stt values. pupil diameter showed significant differences between treated and untreated eyes. the long-term effects included sustained iop reduction and pupil constriction after three weeks of latanoprost treatment.conclusion: latanoprost demonstrates rapid and sustained efficacy in reducing iop in dogs, with potential implications for glaucoma management. although it does not significantly affect tear production, it modulates pupil size, highlighting its multifaceted pharmacological effects. the study affirms the latanoprost’s safety profile and underscores its therapeutic potential in veterinary ophthalmology, urging further exploration of its mechanisms and applications.