Latanoprost ophthalmic solution is a topical medication used for controlling the progression of glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...

 or ocular hypertension

Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...

 by reducing intraocular pressure

Intraocular pressure

Intraocular pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Tonometry is the method eye care professionals use to determine this. IOP is an important aspect in the evaluation of patients at risk from glaucoma...

. It is a prostaglandin analogue

Prostaglandin analogue

Synthetic prostaglandin analogues are molecules which are manufactured to bind to a prostaglandin receptor.Wider use of prostaglandin analogues is limited by unwanted side effects and their abortive potential.-Uses:...

 (more specifically an analogue of Prostaglandin F_2α) that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eye

Human eye

The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...

s (through the uvealsclearal tract).

It is also known by the brand name of Xalatan manufactured by Pfizer

Pfizer

Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...

. Annual sales are approximately $1.6 billion. The patent for latanoprost expired in March 2011, and at least one generic version (manufactured by Mylan Inc.) is now widely available in the U.S.

Latanoprost was developed by Dr. Carl B. Camras

Carl B. Camras

Carl B. Camras was an American ophthalmologist known for his research on the treatment of glaucoma. He discovered a new class of drugs to treat glaucoma—prostaglandin analogues...

 and his research adviser Dr. László Z. Bitó at Columbia University in 1996.

Adverse reactions

Possible side effects:

• May cause reddening of the eyes (hyperemia)
• May cause blurred vision;
• May cause eyelid redness;
• May permanently darken eyelashes;
• May cause eye discomfort;
• May eventually cause permanent darkening of the iris
  Iris (anatomy)
  The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. "Eye color" is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it can be hazel , grey, violet, or even pink...
  
   to brown (heterochromia
  Heterochromia
  In anatomy, heterochromia refers to a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of the relative excess or lack of melanin...
  
  );
• May cause a temporary burning sensation during use.
• May cause thickening of the eyelashes.
• Rarely, herpes simplex keratitis.
• A single case report
  Case report
  In medicine, a case report is a detailed report of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. Case reports may contain a demographic profile of the patient, but usually describe an unusual or novel occurrence....
  
   links latanoprost use to the progression of keratoconus
  Keratoconus
  Keratoconus , is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve....
  
  .

External links

• Xalatan (manufacturer's website)