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Ocular surface and glaucoma therapy
Author(s) -
BROADWAY D
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.6272.x
Subject(s) - glaucoma , benzalkonium chloride , medicine , discontinuation , adverse effect , ocular hypertension , ophthalmology , clinical trial , incidence (geometry) , in vivo , pharmacology , surgery , pathology , physics , optics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Purpose The use of anti‐glaucoma medications is often associated with ocular adverse reactions. These undesirable effects may lead to reduced quality of life, poor adherence or even treatment discontinuation in patients with glaucoma. This presentation summarizes currently available data relating to the effect of topical anti‐glaucoma preparations on the ocular surface. Results Anti‐glaucoma medications most commonly contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK) as a preservative. In vivo animal studies together with in vitro experiments have demonstrated various dose dependent adverse effects of BAK. Clinical studies have also shown an increased incidence of adverse events associated with BAK and have demonstrated that withdrawal of the preservative reduces these effects. Conclusion Collectively, these data suggest that use of preservative‐free anti‐glaucoma treatments have clinically relevant benefits for patients.