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Eye Care Information : Glaucoma : Prostaglandin Analogs & Prostamides
While there is no cure for glaucoma, it can be controlled. How?
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 or prostamide 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 (except Rescula, which is taken twice per day).
What Are the Prostaglandin Analogs or Prostamide medications?
- Latanoprost (Xalatan?)
- Bimatoprost (Lumigan?)
- Travoprost (Travatan?)
- Uniprostone (Rescula?)
No generic versions are available at this time.
Possible Side Effects of Prostaglandin Analogs or Prostamides
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)
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