FDA-approved treatment reduces elevated IOP

The FDA approved Alcon Laboratories’ travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004% (Travatan Z) for the reduction of elevated IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, who are intolerant of, or have insufficient response to other IOP-lowering medication.

This solution is free of benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Long-term use of topical solutions containing BAK may compromise the ocular surface and exacerbate conditions such as dry eye.

A double-masked, multicenter study followed 690 adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The patients were randomly assigned to receive Travatan Z or original Travatan, which contains BAK. Travatan Z reduced IOP up to 8.5 mm Hg on average, demonstrating statistically equivalent IOP-lowering efficacy to the original Travatan. Similar adverse events were noted in both groups.