Treatment of Glaucoma with 3α,5β-Tetrahydrocortisol: A New Therapeutic Modality

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of 3α,5β-tetrahydrocortisol (3α,5β-THF), a metabolite of cortisol, in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in rabbits made ocular hypertensive with glucocorticoids suggested its use in patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Patients with well-documented POAG were treated with a 1% suspension of 3α,5β-THF administered to one eye four times daily for up to six weeks. Eight out of nine patients experienced an appreciable decrease in IOP in the treated eye (average decrease 4.9 mm Hg). There was no conjunctival irritation, corneal pathology, visual field changes, alteration in liver or renal function tests or blood count during the treatment period. The present study demonstrates that 3α,5β-THF, a naturally occurring steroid metabolite, is effective in lowering IOP in patients with POAG. Antiglucocorticoids may represent a new therapeutic modality for the management of POAG.