An eye drop that lowers pressure in the eye
Latanoprostene bunod
A once-daily eye drop that lowers raised pressure inside the eye to protect against glaucoma damage.
What is Latanoprostene bunod?
Latanoprostene bunod is an eye drop used to lower raised pressure inside the eye in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It combines two actions: a prostaglandin effect and a nitric-oxide-releasing effect, both of which help fluid drain out of the eye. It is used once a day, usually in the evening. The most noticeable effects are gradual, often permanent changes such as the coloured part of the eye (iris) becoming browner and the eyelashes getting longer or darker, along with eye redness and irritation. Lowering eye pressure helps protect sight over time.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Latanoprostene bunod — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Latanoprostene bunod is an eye drop used to treat raised pressure inside the eye, which occurs in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. High pressure can gradually damage the optic nerve and threaten sight, so lowering it is the main aim of treatment. The drop is related to the prostaglandin eye drops but also releases nitric oxide, giving it two ways of helping fluid leave the eye. It is used once a day, usually in the evening, as part of long-term treatment to protect vision.
How it works
The pressure in the eye depends on the balance between fluid being made and fluid draining away. Latanoprostene bunod helps fluid drain out through two routes: the prostaglandin part improves drainage through one pathway, and the nitric-oxide part relaxes tissue in the eye's main drainage channel to improve outflow there too. Together these lower the pressure inside the eye. Because glaucoma is a long-term condition, the drop is used every day to keep the pressure controlled and reduce the risk of further damage to the optic nerve.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A once-daily eye drop used to lower raised pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
What it treats
Conditions Latanoprostene bunod is used for
Practical use
How to take Latanoprostene bunod
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Put one drop into the affected eye or eyes once a day, usually in the evening, unless told otherwise.
- Press gently on the inner corner of the eye for a minute after the drop to reduce side effects.
- Remove soft contact lenses before using the drop and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
- If you use other eye drops, leave several minutes between them so each one works properly.
- Keep using it every day even though glaucoma often causes no symptoms, as it protects your sight over time.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Latanoprostene bunod
Advantages
- Effectively lowers raised pressure inside the eye to help protect against glaucoma damage.
- Used only once a day, which makes it easy to fit into a routine.
- Works through two complementary actions to improve fluid drainage from the eye.
Disadvantages
- Can cause gradual, often permanent darkening of the iris and changes to the eyelashes.
- Commonly causes eye redness, irritation or a gritty feeling.
- Needs to be used every day long term to keep eye pressure controlled.
Practical use
Good to know
The main point is that this is a long-term, once-daily eye drop, usually used in the evening, and that taking it consistently matters because controlling eye pressure protects sight even when glaucoma causes no symptoms. A characteristic effect is a gradual, often permanent darkening of the coloured part of the eye (the iris), which is most noticeable in people with mixed-colour eyes, along with the eyelashes becoming longer, thicker or darker; the skin around the eye may also darken. Eye redness, irritation, itching or a feeling of something in the eye are common, especially at first. If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before using the drop and wait before putting them back in. If you use more than one type of eye drop, leave a gap between them.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to latanoprostene bunod or its ingredients should not use it.
- It is used with caution in people with certain eye inflammation or some types of glaucoma, under specialist advice.
- It is used with care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, weighing the benefits and risks.
- It should be used as directed by an eye specialist or prescriber.
Monitoring
- Regular checks of the pressure inside the eye to make sure it is well controlled.
- Monitoring the optic nerve and field of vision over time to watch for glaucoma progression.
- Watching for changes to the iris, eyelashes or any eye inflammation.
Side effects
- Eye redness, irritation, itching or a feeling of something in the eye.
- Gradual, often permanent darkening of the coloured part of the eye (the iris).
- Longer, thicker or darker eyelashes, and sometimes darkening of the skin around the eye.
- Less commonly, eye inflammation or swelling at the back of the eye, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- If you use other eye drops, leave several minutes between them so they do not wash each other out.
- There are few well-established whole-body medicine interactions, but tell your prescriber what you use.
- Tell your eye specialist about any other prostaglandin eye drops, as combining them is not usually helpful.
Available as: Eye drops.
Answers
Latanoprostene bunod: frequently asked questions
What is latanoprostene bunod used for?
It is an eye drop used to lower raised pressure inside the eye in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, helping to protect sight.
How often do I use it?
It is used once a day, usually in the evening, as part of long-term treatment to keep eye pressure controlled.
Will it change my eye colour?
It can gradually and often permanently darken the coloured part of the eye (the iris), most noticeably in people with mixed-colour eyes, and may make the eyelashes longer or darker.
Can I wear contact lenses?
Take soft contact lenses out before using the drop and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
Why keep using it if my eyes feel fine?
Glaucoma often causes no symptoms until sight is lost, so using the drop every day keeps eye pressure controlled and protects your vision over time.
The wider class
About Prostaglandin / nitric-oxide eye drop
Latanoprostene bunod belongs to the prostaglandin / nitric-oxide eye drop class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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