Thea Pharma recently announced the approval of the first preservative-free latanoprost eye drop for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Preservative-free eye drops are increasingly being preferred by patients and clinicians due to their low side effect profile and minimized impact on the ocular surface. Now, glaucoma patients on drop therapy can also reap the benefits of a preservative-free formula following the recent FDA approval of a new 0.005% latanoprost solution by Thea Pharma, Inc. The drop, called Iyuzeh by the company, is made without any of the common ophthalmic solution preservatives including benzalkonium chloride. It was approved to reduce elevated IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The company noted in its press release that Iyuzeh showed consistent IOP-lowering ability and good patient tolerability in clinical trials. In patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, treatment with the drop vs. a BAK-preserved formula (Xalatan) resulted in comparable IOP reduction (3mm Hg to 8mm Hg vs. 4mm Hg to 8mm Hg). The most common side effects observed in the two company-led clinical trials included conjunctival hyperemia (34%) and eye irritation (19%). For comparison, among patients who took Xalatan, 37% experienced conjunctival hyperemia and 31% experienced ocular irritation.

The drop is recommended by developers to be administered once daily in the evening. IOP reduction occurs approximately three to four hours after drop administration, and the maximum effect is reached after eight to 12 hours, Thea explains. It adds that the IOP-lowering effect persists for a minimum of 24 hours.

Iyuzeh could be a viable therapeutic option for your patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension taking latanoprost who experience negative effects as a potential result of drop preservatives.

For more information, visit www.iyuzeh.com.