Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride in Ophthalmic Eyedrop Medications on Corneal Epithelium

Eyedrops often contain additives other than active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as preservatives. The most frequently used preservative is benzalkonium chloride (BAC). When the ocular surface exposed to eyedrops, ingredients and can cause corneal epithelial disorder. Particularly in clinical settings, there great interest disorders resulting from use of glaucoma which inevitable when instilled for a long period time after onset disease. At authors' institute, treated with consideration reducing disorder while ensuring effect lowering intraocular pressure by appropriate choice eyedrops. In this review, we show examples retrospective studies. Sodium hyaluronate eyedrops are prescribed superficial punctate keratitis associated dry eye. Prescribable concentrations sodium Japan 0.1% or 0.3%, 0.3% formulation does not BAC. study showed that pretreatment reduced cytotoxicity BAC cultured cells, whereas an vivo mice instillation was suggested drug may enhance separately administered It prolonged retention on surface. However, have been no reports problem setting. important ophthalmologists understand properties