Glaucoma Medications & Dry Eye Syndrome

Some medications prescribed for glaucoma may cause or exacerbate dry eye and related ocular surface syndromes. Dry eye syndrome is mostly caused by the disruption of the tear film on the surface of the eye, and a common preservative in many glaucoma medications can worsen the symptoms. There are alternative glaucoma drops available that do not have this common preservative and may be better for those that experience dry eye symptoms when taking glaucoma medication.

Medications

• The majority of patients with glaucoma are given a medical therapy of eyedrops that permeate the eye and cause decreased production and/or increased drainage of the fluid inside the eye. This reduces pressure in the eye and damage to the eye caused by that increased pressure.

Dry Eye Syndrome

• Dry eye and related syndromes usually result from a failure of the tears to adequately cover and protect the eye. This can come from a failure of the eye to produce enough tears or from a tear film that has an improper makeup of its components.

Common Preservative

• The majority of eyedrop medications prescribed for glaucoma have a common preservative called benzalkonium chloride. Benzalkonium chloride has been shown to increase irritation to the surface of the eye and damage the tear film.

Alternative Preservatives

• Recently, several glaucoma medications that are preserved with alternatives to benzalkonium chloride have appeared on the market. Examples include Travatan-Z (preserved with SofZia) and Alphagan-P (preserved with Purite).

Ask Your Eye Doctor

• If you experience any eye discomfort after taking glaucoma medication, it is important to talk to your eye doctor in order to prevent further damage to your eyes.