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Prostaglandin Analogs and Prostamides for the Treatment of Glaucoma
While there is no cure for glaucoma, it can be controlled.
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) may damage the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss.
Treatment for glaucoma focuses on lowering IOP to a level that is unlikely to cause further optic
nerve damage. This is known as the "target pressure" or "goal pressure". The target pressure
differs from individual to individual. Your target pressure may change during your course of
treatment.
If you have glaucoma, your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) may prescribe medication to lower your eye
pressure. There are many more choices for topical treatment of glaucoma today than there were only
a few years ago. Your ophthalmologist has chosen a prostaglandin analog medication as a good choice
for treating your glaucoma.
How Do Prostaglandin Analogs or Prostamides Work?
These medications lower the intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of the fluid that the
eye continually makes, called the aqueous humor. These medications are all taken once a day.
What Are the Prostaglandin Analogs medications?
- Latanoprost (Xalatanâ)
- Bimatoprost (Lumiganâ)
- Travoprost (Travatanâ)
No generic versions are available at this time.
Possible Side Effects of Prostaglandin Analogs
All medications, including eyedrops, have benefits, but they may also have side effects. Some people taking these eyedrops may experience:
- Redness of the eye;
- The iris (the colored part of the eye) may darken or turn brown (this change in color occurs slowly and may not be noticeable for months or even years);
- Increased growth, thickness and pigmentation of the eyelashes;
- Eye irritation or itching;
- Blurred vision;
- Darkening of the eyelid skin;
- Muscle aches (rare);
- Headache (rare).
Patients with a history of uveitis (inflammation in the eye), ocular herpes infection or a history
of swelling in the retina (called cystoid macular edema), should use this medication with caution.
If you have a history of any of these conditions, please discuss this with your doctor.
For glaucoma medications to work, you must take them regularly and continuously as prescribed by your doctor.
Medication Tips:
With each new medication that your ophthalmologist prescribes, make sure you understand
the following:
- The name of the medication
- How to take it
- How often to take it
- How to store it
- If you can take it with your other medications (make sure each of your doctors knows about all the different medications you take, including non-prescription medications)
- What the possible side effects may be
- What you should do if you experience side effects
- What you should do if you miss a dose
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