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Travatan (travoprost) is a prostaglandin analog used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in individuals with ocular hypertension or glaucoma. The medication increases outflow of fluid from the eye through the trabecular meshwork, lowering intraocular pressure.

Black and Hispanic patients are more likely than other races to develop glaucoma, though age also plays a role and any person can develop IOP and glaucoma. Patients over age 35 are encouraged to have their eyes checked every year or two. Untreated, glaucoma can ultimately result in permanent blindness. There are usually no symptoms to IOP.

Using Travatan

Once a patient has been diagnosed with IOP or glaucoma, a prescription for Travatan may be given. The medication is very easy to use:

• Thoroughly wash and dry hands.
• Remove the applicator from the Travatan vial, being careful that it does not touch anything.
• Apply a single drop to the affected eye(s).
• Replace the applicator in the Travatan vial.
• Close eyes for one to two minutes, while gently applying pressure to the corner of the eye nearest the nose.

The applicator should not be washed off unless it has contacted something. Patients with contacts should remove them prior to applying Travatan, and leave them out for at least 15 minutes after application.

Other medications may be prescribed along with Travatan; if so, wait at least 5 minutes between applications. Do not use other eye drops during treatment with Travatan if not prescribed.

Drops are best administered in the evening. Patients should not administer more than one drop per eye, or use the medication more frequently than once per day---studies show that more of the medication actually makes it less effective at reducing IOP. If a dose is missed, it should be skipped entirely. The occasional missed dose is not harmful.

IOP will begin to drop about 2 hours following administration, with maximum benefit after 12 hours; it will stay peaked for several hours before starting to decline. Once-per-day administration is ideal.

Side Effects

Travatan can produce side effects, most of which are mild and similar to those associated with putting any kind of drops in the eye. Rarely, though, more serious side effects can occur, which call for medical attention:

• Discharge from the eye
• Pain, redness, or itching around the eye
• Vision changes
• Sensitivity to light
• Chest pain

There are also two more side effects of Travatan; discoloration of the iris and an increase in the number and length of eyelashes. Some patients experience an increase of brown pigmentation in the iris of an eye treated with Travatan; if only one eye is treated, only one eye will change color. This only happens to some patients, and only if the medication is used for months or years. It can be difficult to detect in patients who already have brown eyes. This change is, unfortunately, permanent---but it is preferable to going blind.

The medication can also cause eyelashes to grow, both in length and in greater number. They may also darken, as may the skin of the eyelids. Some patients find this side effect to be beneficial, though others do not. This change will reverse after treatment ends.

Travatan may interact with other eye medications, and possibly other, orally-taken medications. Other eye drops---even the over-the-counter type to remove redness---should be avoided entirely unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. Orally-administered medications meant to cause changes in the eyes should be used with caution, and patients should be alert for side effects. Check with a doctor or pharmacist if unsure of safety.