Purpose: To investigate the effect on macular thickness of usage of prostaglandin group eye drops for glaucoma.

Materials and Methods: Thirty eyes of 15 glaucoma patients who were taking prostaglandin group antiglaucomatous drops for at least 3 years (group 1), 30 eyes of 15 glaucoma patients who were taking another group antiglaucomatous drops for at least 3 years (group 2), and 30 eyes of 15 healthy subjects of similar age (group 3) were included in this study. The maculae were evaluated by OCT, and foveal volume, foveal thickness, and total macular volume were analyzed and compared for all patients.

Results: The mean foveal thickness in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 204.67±3.08 μm, 187.57±3.24 μm, and 191.70±4.15 μm, respectively. Foveal thickness was significantly greater in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The foveal volume in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.1657±0.02, 0.14737±0.02, and 0.14993±0.03, respectively. Foveal volume was significantly greater in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05). Total macular volumes in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 6.78933±0.115, 6.56417±0.64, and 6.88310±0.102, respectively, and the differences between the groups were not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Long-term use of prostaglandin eye drops resulted in increased foveal thickness and foveal volume in glaucoma patients. Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy; for this reason, foveal thickness and foveal volume should be taken into consideration in the clinical follow up of glaucoma patients.