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Unmet needs in glaucoma
Author(s) -
HOLLO G
Publication year - 2010
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.1755-3768.2010.465.x
Subject(s) - glaucoma , medicine , benzalkonium chloride , topical medication , intraocular pressure , ophthalmology , artificial tears , ocular hypertension , pathology
Both glaucoma and ocular surface disease (OSD) are very common conditions in the elderly. In order to provide sufficient intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and low target pressure, long‐term use of IOP lowering medication as well as optimal adherence to the prescribed medication are essential. Most topical glaucoma medications are preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Chronic exposition to BAK (as preservative of most preserved eye drops) was repeatedly shown to decrease tear film quality, increase the frequency of topical side effects, and worsen the existing ocular surface disease. In addition, chronic and multiple instillation of BAK in preserved topical IOP lowering medication is a risk for failure of later filtering surgery. Patients suffering from OSD use BAK‐free artificial tears, but the same patients if they also have glaucoma mostly use BAK‐preserved IOP lowering drops. This practice is obviously not optimal. Use of unpreserved glaucoma medications in routine clinical practice is needed for IOP lowering in glaucoma.