Eye drops containing macrogolglycerolhydroxystearate

[Thyb]

Hi,

Has Anyone had Glaucoma Medications containing the above ingredient even though they're Preservative free in vials?

The ones I know of are Visutrax (travoprost) single dose.

I am just asking because I read some studies carried out saying it had negative impact on lowering eye pressure

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

There have been no recent research that I can find regarding Macrogolglycerolhydroxystearate, and how it affects the efficacy of Monopost.

Monopost is the preservative free option of Latanaprost and is the drops normally prescribed for newly diagnosed patients as recommended in the NICE guidelines. It works well in reducing the Intraocular pressure of the patient.

Research mentions is that it may affect corneal healing if a person has scratched or damaged the surface of the eye, but why this may happen is still not understood.

[Thyb in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

I have Visutrax pf

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Thyb]

Ive just looked at the Patient Information leaflet. As it is a prostaglandin and you have had so many side effects from all of the other drops you have been prescribed which have contained prostaglandin, apart from the Cosopt, I really can't understand why you have been prescribed a different one.

As I have suggested in your other post. You need to go back to your consultant and discuss alternatives such as laser or surgery.

[Thyb in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you. I put the drops in at 17:30 because I spoke to a Dr at the Eye Clinic today and he said 'you at least have to try them Once'.....In the past 20 Years of attending Glaucoma Clinic not one Consultant has ever mentioned any Surgery....They just do visual Field tests, sometimes scan the eyes then take the pressure last.

Moreover, since the Consultant I was seeing 3 Monthly left 3 Years ago I have seen an Abundance of different Drs there

[Thyb in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

p.s I have tried Cosopt also butbut, some time ago so cannot remember the side effects

[bean3]

I have been taking Travoprost in the preserved multi dose bottle for 5/6 years. It also contains macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate. My eye pressure dropped to a satisfactory level after starting on Travoprost and and has remained low since. I am on no other drops to manage my glaucoma and the ophthalmologist is happy everything is well controlled.

It is an excipient which is known for irritating skin though. A doctor did comment on the dry skin around my eyes at one appointment and blamed the drops!

[Longwalks3]

I don’t know about this particular chemical but I do know that I too have reached a point where I am unable to tolerate any of the currently available glaucoma eye drops because of the side effects they cause. I am glad to say that I am now drop free with stable pressures of 14 in both eyes. I have had multiple surgeries and laser treatment to get to this point and it has been a long hard road. Unfortunately I have sustained significant damage to both optic nerves and therefore have restricted fields in both eyes now. I think I have been very unlucky as I was one of those people who was diagnosed in my 40s (I am now 63} when a lot of damage had already been done. I was prescribed several drops early on which my current consultant describes as “toxic” as there was a need to get my very high pressures down quickly. I hope that these days someone like me would be offered surgery far sooner than I was 20 years ago. My consultant has told me that outcomes for surgery are much better if your eyes have not been damaged by years of drop use and that in the past many surgeons waited too long before performing surgery. Sorry if this all sounds a bit doom and gloom but I do feel quite strongly that some patients are let down by delays in the system.

[Thyb in reply to Longwalks3]

Thank you for letting me know. I too have been attending the Clinic for approximately 20 Years. At no point has anyone Ever mentioned eye Surgery.

I tried the New Visutrax eye drops yesterday at 17:30...About 22:30 I had jaw pain/chest etc so took an Aspirin and 'hoped for the best'.

Today my eyes are red, sore, right eyelid still swollen, Unfortunately the eye Clinic don't Care and haven't for the past 2-3 Years!

P.P.S. I am 68