Latanoprost eye drops

About latanoprost eye drops

An increase in pressure within your eye can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. When this occurs it is called le glaucome. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. If you have an increased pressure within your eye but without any damage to the optic nerve, this is called ocular hypertension. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of later developing glaucoma. Treatment with latanoprost eye drops helps to reduce eye pressure in people with ocular hypertension, and to prevent further eye damage in people with open-angle glaucoma.

Latanoprost eye drops work by increasing the drainage of fluid from the inside of your eye. This helps to lower the pressure within your eye. Latanoprost eye drops are available as bottles of eye drops which contain a preservative, and also as single-dose units which do not contain a preservative.

Sometimes, more than one type of eye drop is needed to keep the pressure in the eye low. If this is the case for you, you may be asked to use two different eye drops, or you may be given drops which combine more than one type. Latanoprost is available as a combination eye drop with another medicine which reduces eye pressure, called timolol (a beta-blocker), in brands such as Xalacom® and Fixapost®.

The combination product Roclanda® contains latanoprost with a medicine called netarsudil. This medicine works in a different way to latanoprost but also allows more fluid to drain from the eye and reduces the pressure.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using latanoprost it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte ou si vous allaitez.

• If you have had surgery on your eye to replace or remove the lens (such as cataract removal).

• Si vous avez un problème respiratoire tel que l'asthme ou la BPCO.

• If you have had problems in the past with viral infections in your eye.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines or eye drops. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

1. Lavez-vous bien les mains avant d'utiliser les gouttes.

2. Open the bottle, or if you are using a single-use dose unit, remove the tip of the unit.

3. Inclinez légèrement la tête en arrière et tirez la paupière inférieure de votre œil vers le bas pour former une poche.

4. Hold the bottle or single-use dose unit upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

5. Apply enough pressure to release one drop into your eye. Do not use more than one drop - using several drops does not improve your glaucoma but will increase the risk of side-effects.

6. Fermez votre œil pendant une minute ou deux, et appuyez doucement sur le côté de votre nez où le coin de votre œil rencontre votre nez. Cela aide à empêcher la goutte de s'écouler et la maintient dans votre œil.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes. If you are using single-dose units, there is sufficient liquid in one unit to put a drop into both eyes.

8. Put the cap back on the bottle, or if you are using the single-use dose unit, throw it away.

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the eye drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from using them.

• Use one drop in the eye (or eyes) affected once a day. Your doctor may recommend you use the drops in the evening.

• Remember to use the drops every day. If you do forget, do not double up on the next day to make up for a missed dose.

• Faites attention à ne pas toucher le bout du compte-gouttes avec votre œil, vos doigts ou toute autre surface. Cela permet d'éviter que les gouttes ne soient contaminées.

• If any of the eye drop solution runs on to your face, wipe it away as soon as you can with a clean tissue or hanky.

• Si vous utilisez d'autres gouttes pour les yeux, laissez 5 à 10 minutes entre chaque application. Cela permet d'éviter que trop de liquide ne pénètre dans votre œil, ce qu'il ne peut pas gérer. Sinon, les gouttes déborderont de votre œil et n'auront pas l'effet escompté.

• Lorsqu'elles sont appliquées pour la première fois, les gouttes pour les yeux peuvent faire pleurer vos yeux et parfois provoquer une vision floue. Si cela se produit, cela devrait rapidement s'estomper. Assurez-vous de voir à nouveau clairement avant de conduire ou d'utiliser des outils ou des machines.

• Gardez vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin et votre clinique ophtalmologique afin que vos progrès puissent être vérifiés.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because bottles of eye drops tend to contain preservatives which can affect some soft contact lenses. The single-dose units do not contain a preservative.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with latanoprost. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus aux gouttes pour les yeux, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Please check the information on the label for the correct storage requirements. Some brands of eye drops can be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Other brands need to be stored in a refrigerator before being opened.

• Eye drops in bottles can be used for four weeks once the bottle has been opened. Even if there is still some solution remaining after this time, throw the bottle away and use a new one. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.