xalatan eye drops for treating glaucoma?

Question

im using this medication and was wondering about the eye color side effects...my eyes are hazel and my doctor explained that my eyes would turn brown with long term use. but im noticing its turning GREENER intead of brown? is this normal?

Answer 1

XALATAN

Generic Name: LATANOPROST (la-TA-noe-prost)

This medicine is a prostaglandin used to treat glaucoma

CAUTIONS:

Green/blue or blue/gray eyes may turn brown from the use of this medicine. This change usually appears during the first 18 months of therapy. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE a darkening of your eyelid in the treated eye. There may also be eyelash changes such as increased length, color, thickness, or number. All of these effects may be permanent. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE within 5 minutes of any other eye medicines. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause blurred vision. Make sure your vision is clear before driving or performing any task that requires good vision. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include blurred vision, eye irritation, eye redness, or a change in eye color. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience a change in vision, unexplained muscle or joint pain, or skin itching. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

so yes this is normal...they will gradually turn brown over time but you should always talk with your doctor or local pharmacist about your concern. Your prescription can always be changed. :)

Answer 2

If your eyes are hazel you already have some green in them anyway though only slightly.
The color changing period is going to take a bit of time and it will probably be in stages,going from the lightest color of hazel to the greens and then to the browns.
Believe me,they will eventually turn a shade of brown and what shade that will be won't be determined until it has reached it's own maximum color changing.
ALWAYS be sure to use the drops as prescribed and try to never/ever miss a drop. . . as you well know.