Latanoprost

1 medicine

Latanoprost is an eye drop that lowers pressure inside the eye to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It can permanently darken the color of your iris and eyelashes, an effect that is usually irreversible.

Xalatan

Latanoprost

2.5ml

Xalatan is a eye care medication containing Latanoprost, available as 2.5ml bottles.

from $66.67 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Latanoprost (in Xalatan) is a prostaglandin analog. One drop in the affected eye, usually in the evening, increases fluid drainage and lowers eye pressure.
  • The effect builds over the first few weeks; missing doses lets pressure creep back up, which can damage the optic nerve without any symptoms.
  • Latanoprost can permanently darken your iris color and lengthen, thicken, or darken your eyelashes. The iris change is usually irreversible and more likely with mixed-colored eyes such as blue-brown or green-brown.
  • Seek urgent care for severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, or a red, painful eye with light sensitivity.

What latanoprost treats

Latanoprost treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, conditions of raised pressure inside the eye that can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.

How latanoprost works

Latanoprost increases the outflow of fluid through the eye's drainage pathway. With more fluid leaving the eye, the pressure inside falls, easing the strain on the optic nerve.

Before you take it

  • Tell your eye doctor if you have an active eye infection or inflammation, since latanoprost is usually avoided until it clears.
  • Mention any past herpes eye infection; latanoprost has been linked to reactivation in rare cases.
  • If you have had cataract surgery without a lens implant, latanoprost carries a higher risk of swelling at the back of the eye (macular edema).
  • If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the drop and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Side effects

Common effects include eye redness, itching or a burning feeling, a gritty sensation, and brief blurred vision right after the drop goes in.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe eye pain.
  • Sudden loss or dimming of vision.
  • Swelling, rash, or intense redness around the eye.

Safety essentials

  • The darkening of the iris and eyelid skin is usually permanent, even if you stop the drops. Discuss this cosmetic change with your prescriber before starting, especially if your eyes are two different colors.
  • Remove contact lenses before each dose and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them; the preservative can be absorbed into the lens.
  • Tell your eye doctor about past cataract surgery without a lens implant or a history of herpes eye infection before starting.
  • Use the drops every day as prescribed. Untreated eye pressure causes silent, irreversible vision loss.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.