A prostaglandin glaucoma eye drop
Travoprost
A once-daily prostaglandin eye drop used in the evening to lower eye pressure in glaucoma; it can darken the iris and lengthen the eyelashes.
What is Travoprost?
Travoprost is a prostaglandin eye drop used to lower the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It is usually used once a day in the evening and works by helping fluid drain out of the eye. It can darken the colour of the iris and make the eyelashes longer and darker, and it can cause eye redness.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Travoprost — 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
Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue eye drop used in the UK to lower raised pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and ocular hypertension. High pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve over time and threaten sight, so lowering it helps protect vision. It is a once-daily treatment, usually used in the evening, and it works steadily in the background; the benefit is in protecting sight over the long term rather than in how the eye feels day to day.
How it works
Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue. It lowers pressure inside the eye mainly by increasing the natural outflow of fluid (aqueous humour) from the eye. With more fluid draining away, the pressure inside the eye falls, which reduces the strain on the optic nerve and helps protect against sight loss in glaucoma.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Developed by Alcon..
Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue eye drop developed by Alcon and used in the UK to lower pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
What it treats
Conditions Travoprost is used for
Practical use
How to take Travoprost
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use it once a day in the evening, at about the same time each day, unless told otherwise.
- Wash your hands first, and avoid touching your eye, eyelashes or any surface with the dropper tip to keep it clean.
- After putting the drop in, close your eye gently and press lightly at the inner corner for a short time to reduce how much is absorbed by the body.
- If you use other eye drops, leave a gap between them so each has time to work.
- Be aware it can darken the iris and lengthen and darken the eyelashes, and these changes may be permanent.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Travoprost
Advantages
- Once-daily use is simple and convenient.
- It is effective at lowering eye pressure to help protect sight in glaucoma.
- It generally has few effects on the rest of the body compared with some other eye-pressure treatments.
Disadvantages
- It can permanently darken the iris and change the eyelashes (longer, thicker and darker).
- It can cause eye redness and irritation.
- It needs to be used consistently and correctly, with care to keep the dropper clean.
Practical use
Good to know
Travoprost is usually used once a day in the evening, and using it at the same time each day helps keep eye pressure steady. Wash your hands first and avoid touching the eye or eyelashes with the dropper tip to keep it clean. It can gradually darken the colour of the iris (especially in mixed-colour eyes) and can make the eyelashes longer, thicker and darker — these changes can be permanent. It can also cause redness of the eye. If you use more than one type of eye drop, leave a gap between them, and if you wear soft contact lenses, follow advice about removing them before use.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless specifically advised — discuss this with your prescriber.
- People with certain types of eye inflammation, unless assessed by an eye specialist.
- Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to travoprost or the preservative in the drops.
Monitoring
- Regular checks of the pressure inside the eye and of the optic nerve and visual fields.
- Watching for changes in iris colour, eyelashes and eyelid skin.
- Reviewing eye comfort and how well the drops are being used.
Side effects
- Eye redness, irritation or a feeling of something in the eye.
- Gradual darkening of the iris, especially in mixed-colour eyes (often permanent).
- Longer, thicker and darker eyelashes, and sometimes darkening of the eyelid skin.
- Occasionally, watering eyes, blurred vision shortly after use, or a headache.
Key interactions
- Other eye drops should be spaced apart so each is properly absorbed.
- Using more than one prostaglandin eye drop is not recommended, as this can be less effective.
- Tell your eye specialist about all your eye drops and medicines.
Available as: Eye drops.
Answers
Travoprost: frequently asked questions
When should I use travoprost?
It is usually used once a day in the evening. Using it at the same time each day helps keep the pressure inside the eye steady. Follow the specific advice from your eye specialist.
Can travoprost change my eye colour?
Yes — it can gradually darken the colour of the iris, particularly in eyes that are a mix of colours, and this change can be permanent. It can also make the eyelashes longer, thicker and darker.
Why does my eye go red with travoprost?
Redness of the eye is a common effect of prostaglandin drops and often settles. Tell your eye specialist if it is troublesome or if the eye becomes painful or your vision changes.
How do I put the drops in safely?
Wash your hands first and avoid touching your eye or eyelashes with the dropper tip to keep it clean. After the drop goes in, close your eye gently and press lightly at the inner corner for a short time to reduce how much is absorbed by the body.
What if I also use other eye drops?
Leave a gap between different eye drops so each has time to be absorbed. Avoid using more than one prostaglandin drop, and check with your eye specialist about the right order and timing.
The wider class
About Glaucoma eye drops
Travoprost belongs to the glaucoma eye drops 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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