Glucosamine sulfate is one of the treatment options for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. It has been postulated that glucosamine sulfate affects intraocular pressure (IOP). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of crystalline glucosamine sulfate on IOP in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Forty-two patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized into two groups. The first group of patients received 1500mg of crystalline glucosamine sulfate once daily for 6 months and the conventional treatment protocol. The second group of patients received only the conventional treatment protocol. IOP was recorded at the start of the study and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
The patient demographic data were not different between the two groups. There were no differences in the IOPs between the groups (P>0.05) nor differences in baseline IOPs within each group compared with each follow-up visit (P>0.05).
Glucosamine sulfate is still an option without significant concern over elevated IOP in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and normal ocular pressure.