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Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems01:23

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption01:22

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Intracameral Injection in Rats with Low Risk of Adverse Effects
06:19

Intracameral Injection in Rats with Low Risk of Adverse Effects

Published on: May 31, 2024

Rationale for Preservative-free Glaucoma Drops.

Brian M Nguyen1, Andrew Chen

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

International Ophthalmology Clinics
|June 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in glaucoma drops causes ocular discomfort and surface disease. Preservative-free (PF) options improve comfort and reduce side effects, but cost and convenience hinder their use.

Keywords:
glaucomaocular surfacepreservative freesingle use vial

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Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
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Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation

Published on: March 12, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Intracameral Injection in Rats with Low Risk of Adverse Effects
06:19

Intracameral Injection in Rats with Low Risk of Adverse Effects

Published on: May 31, 2024

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
08:30

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation

Published on: March 12, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Ocular Surface Disease
  • Glaucoma Management

Background:

  • Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a common preservative in multidose glaucoma eye drops.
  • Chronic use of BAK-preserved drops is linked to ocular discomfort, ocular surface disease, and inflammation.
  • BAK may also reduce the success rate of glaucoma surgeries like trabeculectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of switching from BAK-preserved to preservative-free (PF) glaucoma formulations.
  • To compare the side effects, ocular surface health, and patient comfort between BAK-containing and PF eye drops.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes in patients using different glaucoma drop formulations.
  • Assessment of ocular surface disease parameters and patient-reported comfort levels.

Main Results:

  • Switching to preservative-free (PF) glaucoma formulations significantly reduces side effects.
  • PF drops lead to improved ocular surface health and enhanced patient comfort.
  • Alternative preservatives also carry potential toxic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Preservative-free glaucoma drops offer a superior alternative to BAK-preserved formulations.
  • Widespread adoption of PF drops is limited by factors including cost and ease of use.
  • Further strategies are needed to overcome barriers to PF glaucoma drop accessibility.