Risk Factors for Glaucoma
Knowing if you are at risk for glaucoma is an important first step in taking control of your eye health. Take a look at the following checklist. Even if you check just 1 of these boxes, you may be at risk. Be sure to see your eye doctor for regular glaucoma screenings, especially if you are at risk. While high eye pressure is a serious condition, it can be treated with XALATAN. Take control of your eye health and talk to your doctor.
High eye pressure
High eye pressure can damage your optic nerve, which can lead to glaucoma. Once the damage is done, it can't be reversed. Studies suggest that lowering eye pressure may slow the progression of glaucoma.
High eye pressure is one risk factor. But there are more. Some of the other risk factors include:
Over age 50
Increased age is a risk factor for glaucoma.
Family history of glaucoma
If you have a parent or sibling with glaucoma, you have an increased chance of developing the disease.
African American or Hispanic heritage
Glaucoma is more common in African Americans and Hispanics. The good news is high eye pressure can be treated with prescription eyedrops.
This checklist is included in the XALATAN appointment questionnaire. Print it out. It will help you have a productive talk with your eye doctor about high eye pressure and glaucoma.
What to Ask the Doctor
Indication
XALATAN is for the treatment of high eye pressure/intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Important Safety Information
Like all medicines, XALATAN can have side effects. These side effects are usually mild and tolerable and may include blurred vision, burning and stinging, eye redness, the feeling of something in the eye, eye itching, increased pigmentation (darkening) of eye color, or irritation of the clear front surface of the eye.
XALATAN may slowly cause darkening of the eye color due to increased brown color, darkening of the eyelid and eyelashes, and increased growth and thickness of eyelashes. Color changes can increase as long as XALATAN is administered and eye color changes are likely to be permanent.
The recommended dosage is one drop (1.5 µg) in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. If one dose is missed, treatment should continue with the next dose as normal.
There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products.
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The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
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