It’s no secret that one of the reasons for patient noncompliance to their glaucoma drops is the associated side effects. One category of side effects is dry eye symptoms, such as foreign-body sensation, due to the presence of preservatives in glaucoma drops. What’s more, optometrists have noted that such drops can exacerbate dry eye symptoms in those already diagnosed with dry eye disease (DED). Latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005% (Iyuzeh, Théa Group) aims to thwart these issues.
Thwarting DED symptoms
Iyuzeh received FDA approval in December 2022 for the decrease of elevated IOP in patients who have open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). The prostaglandin is formulated sans preservatives, giving patients who have dry eye symptoms from their current medication(s) or those already diagnosed with DED a welcomed alternative, says Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, associate professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, in Lauderdale-Davie, Fla., and director of glaucoma service and attending optometrist at the college’s Eye Care Institute.
“As optometrists, we are al- ways thinking about patient adherence when talking about a potential lifetime of therapy,” she explains. “Now, with a preservative-free latanoprost treatment, I’m looking forward to seeing how this may translate to improved long-term patient adherence.”
Mitch Ibach, OD, FAAO, who practices at Vance Thompson Vision, in Sioux Falls, SD, agrees and adds, “I should mention that the medication comes in a single-dose vial, which may be different than what patients are used to,” he says. “As a result, I’ve found it helpful to discuss, for example, that each vial is to be used just once.”
Additionally, the doctors note Iyuzeh consistently lowered IOP and was proven tolerable in several U.S. and European clinical trials. Specifically, in randomized, controlled clinical trials of Iyuzeh in patients who had OAG or OHT, the drug decreased their IOP by 3 mmHg to 8 mmHg. These patients’ mean baseline IOP was 19 mmHg to 24 mmHg.
Expanding options
Dr. Steen says that with advances in glaucoma treatment, among other treatments for ocular disease, it’s important ODs figure out what drugs best benefit patients.
“Sometimes, it’s easy to get into a comfort zone with medications, but anytime we can potentially improve our patients’ quality of life makes it worthwhile to step out of that zone.” OM
