Iris Pigmentation Risks Associated with Glaucoma Treatment Using Xalatan

Glaucoma is a common health complication for many adults, especially with age. To effectively manage the risks associated with glaucoma, it is important to seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist and manage intraocular eye pressure effectively.

For many glaucoma patients, the management of intraocular eye pressure is often achieved with daily use of prescription eye drops or ointment. If you suffer from glaucoma, it is important to ask your physician about the use of eye drops to manage your eye pressure complication.

For many senior adults with glaucoma, prescription use of Xalatan is quite common. As an eye drop solution that is effective at lowering intraocular pressure, many patients notice relatively few side effects when using Xalatan.

If your physician has prescribed Xalatan eye drops as part of your glaucoma treatment, the dosing recommendation will generally involve one drop in the affected eye, one times per day. For most glaucoma patients, the effects of Xalatan usually begin to provide therapeutic benefit within three to four hours after the first dose. In patients with increased intraocular pressure, the maximum therapeutic benefit is usually attained within 12 hours of use.

As with any FDA approved prescription eye drops, the use of Xalatan, in the treatment of glaucoma, does not come without side effects. Most common side effects include burning and itching of the eyes, headache pain, and in some cases swelling around the eyes. In some patients, there is a complication involving iris pigment color change which, ultimately, is permanent but should not affect vision or other complications of intraocular eye pressure.

For women who are pregnant, or many become pregnant, the use of Xalatan prescription eye drops should be used with caution. As a Category C prescription drug, the use of Xalatan can pose some degree of health risk to the fetal development, although these risks are quite rare.

If you, or someone you know, suffers from increased intraocular eye pressure associated with glaucoma, it is important to seek medical attention when the symptoms begin. When considering your treatment options, ask your physician about the once-per-day dosing formula of Xalatan eye drops. With the most significant side effect involving a change to iris pigmentation, many glaucoma patients utilize these eye drops without long term complications. Without proper management of glaucoma and intraocular eye pressure, there is an increased risk for loss of sight, including the development of blindness. With proper management, these health risks can be avoided and vision can be well maintained.