Do you have glaucoma? Or has the doctor told you that your eye pressure is higher than normal? Then you are probably used to putting eye drops in your eyes every day. But sometimes this can feel a bit of a hassle, right? You may forget to put them in several times a day. So, as an alternative to this daily medication, what if we talked about a method that controls eye pressure for months with just one application? That is what we are talking about today.
Simply put, what is this Bimatoprost Implant?
This is a very small, invisible piece of medicine. To be precise, this is a small implant that is placed inside the eye. Its name is Bimatoprost. It usually comes under the brand name DURYSTA.
This treatment involves your eye doctor placing a small piece of medication directly into your eye using a special device. This is not something you can do at home, but something that needs to be done by a doctor in a hospital or clinic.
Once inside the eye, this implant slowly releases a medicine called Bimatoprost. This medicine works by reducing the amount of fluid inside the eye, reducing the pressure in the eye. It's like letting some air out of a well-inflated balloon. This way, for several months, you won't need to take medication every day, and your eye pressure will be well controlled. Over time, this implant will dissolve inside the eye.
Things you need to tell your doctor before getting this treatment
Before deciding whether this treatment is right for you, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially if you have any:
| Your situation | Description |
|---|---|
| Eye problems | Previous or current injuries, infections, or inflammations of the eye. |
| Other eye diseases | If you have other eye diseases such as closed-angle glaucoma, Fuchs' Dystrophy, or if the back part of the lens of the eye has been damaged or removed. |
| Eye surgery | If you have previously had surgery such as a cornea transplant. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Bimatoprost or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
Is this used for children?
This treatment is usually done on adults. If you are using this on children, be sure to talk to your doctor about it, as special care is required.
What happens after treatment? What to expect?
Since this is a treatment given by a doctor, the terms "missed dose" or "overdose" do not apply here. However, if any severe reaction occurs after treatment, you should immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . If you suspect any poisoning, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
The most important thing is to go to the follow-up appointments that the doctor gives you and have your eyes checked. Only then will you be able to know if the treatment is successful and if there are any other problems.
During and after treatment, also take care of these things:
- Eye color change: This medication can cause the iris of the eye to turn slightly brown in some people. If this is used to treat only one eye, it can also cause a change in the color of both eyes. This change may be permanent . So it is important to be aware of this.
- Sensitivity to light: After treatment, your eyes may experience some light sensitivity. If this happens, you may find it helpful to wear dark glasses when going outside.
What are the expected side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. But don't worry. Most of these are minor. However, there are some things we need to be especially careful about.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Change in vision | Any changes in vision, such as blurred vision or double vision. |
| Eye pain or redness | New or increasing eye pain, redness, inflammation, or discharge. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Eye color change | The color of black ants turns brown. |
| Dry eyes | Feeling of dryness in the eye. |
| Eye itching/inflammation | A slight itching or burning sensation in the eye. |
| Increased tearfulness | Increased tearing after treatment. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, seek medical advice about that as well.
Take-Home Message
- Bimatoprost implant is a modern medication that is implanted into the eye to treat glaucoma and high eye pressure.
- This can help you control eye pressure for several months, eliminating the hassle of applying eye drops daily.
- This treatment is only provided by an ophthalmologist in a hospital or clinic. It is not something that can be done at home.
- Before treatment, it is imperative that you inform your doctor about all medical conditions and allergies you have.
- Side effects such as eye color changes may occur, and if severe symptoms such as eye pain and vision changes occur, consult a doctor immediately.
- Talk to your ophthalmologist about whether this treatment is right for you and what its pros and cons are, and make the best decision.
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