Eye Drop Bottles Research Articles

An upright eyedrop bottle: accuracy, usage of excess drops, and contamination compared to a conventional bottle.

PurposeThis study tested the feasibility of using an upright eyedrop bottle (UEB), a device designed to assist patients with eyedrop placement without reclining their head.Patients and methodsExperienced eyedrop users were enrolled who answered “yes” to the question, “Do you ever have trouble getting your eyedrops in?” After being shown a multimedia presentation and answering a questionnaire regarding eyedrop usage, participants were observed instilling eyedrops. Participants were instructed to instill a single eyedrop in each eye with both a standard bottle and the UEB. They repeated this process three times. With each trial, the amount of time taken to instill drops was recorded, as well as whether a drop landed in the eye (accuracy), if excess drops were used, and if the bottle tip was contaminated.ResultsForty participants were enrolled, with an average age of 72.4±8.9 years; the majority were females (24 females). Thirty-four participants had been using eyedrops for at least 1 year. The time required to instill eyedrops was significantly less with the UEB in the second and third trials. There was no difference in accuracy between the conventional bottle and the UEB in the left or right eye in any trials. Significantly more participants used excess number of drops while using the conventional bottle in both the left and right eyes in all three trials. The bottle tip was never contaminated with the UEB. Depending on the trial and the eye, the conventional bottle was contaminated by between 42% and 53% of participants.ConclusionThe UEB has the potential to assist patients with eyedrop placement. Although there was no difference in accuracy between the UEB and the conventional bottle, the UEB was associated with less use of excess drops and less contamination of the bottle tip, compared to the conventional bottle.

Comparison of Eye Drop Instillation Before and After Use of Drop Application Strips in Glaucoma Patients on Chronic Topical Therapy

To evaluate the impact of using drop application strips on eye drop instillation in glaucoma patients on chronic topical ocular hypotensive therapy. A total of 72 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with an uncorrected visual acuity of 3/60 or more, self-administering topical antiglaucoma medication for >1 year were evaluated. One eye of each patient was included in the study. Patients were instructed to instill 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose drop in 1 eye. They were then instructed to instill the same drop using the drop application strips. Mean age of the patients included in the study was 50.39 ± 12.04 years. Before assistance of drop application strips, 35 (48.61%) patients placed the drop into the eye without any contact of the dropper nozzle, and, after application of the drop application strips, 66 (91.67%) patients placed the drop in the eye without any contact (P=0.025). The number of patients putting the first drop of drug into the eye without spilling over the adenexae increased from 30 (41.67%) to 45 (62.5%) after application of the strip (P<0.001). The mean number of drops instilled to get 1 drop into the eye decreased from 2 ± 0.95 to 1.56 ± 0.78 when the drop application strip was used (P<0.001). Use of a drop application strip causes a significant decrease in contact of the eye drop bottle nozzle with the eyeball and eyelid, decreases the number of drops instilled to get 1 drop into the eye, and is associated with an overall improvement in eye drop instillation.

Microbiological Safety of Using Eye Drops After One Month: Contamination is A Rule or Mere Regulation ?

Objective: The study was aimed to assess microbial contamination of the eye drop solution after using for one month. Design: A prospective study of the sterility of sixty multi-drop residual eye drops was done. Eye drops were collected from the rural based patients, after at least one month of use. All the eye drop bottles were de-labeled and coded and sent for microbiological evaluation. Only eye drop solution was examined for contamination. Results: None of the eye drop had any qualitative or quantitative evidence of growth after 14 days of incubation on various culture media. Conclusion: The eye drops can be used without fear of microbiological contamination for at least six weeks after opening the vial irrespective of its contents and presence of preservatives .

Complexities of Medical Glaucoma Therapy--the Elderly Patient in Focus

In order to treat glaucoma with medication successfully, the patient needs to participate actively in the process. "Adherence", formerly "compliance", describes the willingness and capacity to follow the prescribed regimen every day. It is not trivial to measure adherence and persistence, as this quite often relies on self reports by the patient or speculations by the physician. Hence, the overall reported adherence may vary from 5 to 95 %. In general, the following categories have been defined for reduced adherence: medication-related factors, patient-related factors, environmental factors and social factors. Age has been found to intensify or modify many of these factors. Older adults often face various challenges, due to motor disabilities, reduced visual acuity or impaired cognitive capabilities. In patients with movement disorders or tactile limitations, the target area can be reached more successfully with standard eye drop bottles than with single-use dose units. This should be considered if antiglaucoma eye drops are prescribed in the elderly. Frequency of application is a main factor influencing adherence. Monotherapy--as provided with prostaglandins--or drops with a fixed combination have proven to support adherence significantly. A significant boost for self-monitoring activities is initiated by the growing market of electronic devices, like smartphones. For instance, they can provide acoustic alarms as reminders to apply the eye drops. It is evident that any external support or disease-related information by family members, the medical practitioners, support groups or even electronic devices may improve adherence and persistence, even in patients with severe impairments.

Microbial monitoring analysis of methylcellulose eye drops during use and storage

Background It is imperative for the microbial monitor after opening the bottle of eyedrops in order to ensure the safety during use of ophthalmic solutions with multi-dose packaging. Objective This study was to research the microbiological properties and sterile duration of methylcellulose (MC) eye drops in three common environmental conditions, including room temperature condition of community, refrigeration condition of community and room temperature condition of hospital. Methods MC eye drops were assigned to the community room temperature group, community refrigeration group and hospital room temperature group, and 200 bottles of MC eye drops with or without ethylparaben were collected in each group, including sealed or unsealed drugs at average. The containers of all the eye drops were opened and the opening times were record. The drugs was admistered 1 drop for 3 times per day, with the opening period for 5-10 seconds. Then the drugs were preserved in different environments based on grouping. Microbial isolation and purification were performed by the same lab technician at 8: 00 from 1 through 10 days after opening of drugs with automatic microbial analyzer. Results In the unsealed MC eye drops without ethylparaben, the bacterial positive rates were about 30% in the community room temperature group, community refrigeration group and hospital room temperature group, but no microbial colony was seen in the sealed eye drops. Ten days after opening of containers, the bacterial cultured rates were 30%, 32% and 36% in the eye drops without ethylparaben in the community room temperature group, community refrigeration group and hospital room temperature group, and those in the eye drops with ethylparaben were 15%, 19% and 23%, respectively, showing significant differences between the eye drops with and without ethylparaben (χ2=6. 452, 4. 448, 4. 063, all at P<0. 05). The 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference values of intergroup bacterial rates were -0. 166-0. 126, -0. 110-0. 190 and -0. 088-0. 208 between the community room temperature group and the community refrigeration group, between the hospital room temperature group and the community refrigeration group, between the hospital room temperature group and the community room temperature group respectively in the unsealed eye drops without ethylparaben, and those in the unsealed eye drops with ethylparaben were -0. 159-0. 079, -0. 089-0. 169 and -0. 043-0. 203 respectively, indicating insignificant differences among the groups. Cultured bacteria were identified as Micrococcus luteus, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Bacillus subtilis, Acinetobacter radioresistens, Myroides and Staptococcus xylosus. Conclusions Ethylparaben can reduce the contamination rate of microorganisms after opening of MC eye drops. Three environmental conditions do not play an influence on microbial contamination of MC eye drops after opening. The bacteria of contaminated eye drops appear to be common microorganisms in atmosphere and soil, rather than eye common pathogens. Key words: Ophthalmic solutions; Drug contamination; Preservatives, pharmaceutical; Bacteria/isolation & purification; Methylcellulose eye drops; Antibacterial preservative; Ethylparaben

Difficulties with self instillation of eye drops and its impact on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients

Aims: Prevalence of glaucoma increases with age and this potentially blinding condition requires regular instillation of eye drops. But with aging itself and accompanying co-morbidities, self instillation of eye drops gets affected. This study was designed to study the subjective difficulties associated with self instillation of eye drops in glaucoma patients and to quantitatively assess their impact on intraocular pressure (IOP). Settings and Design: Prospective interventional study at primary eye care center. Materials and Methods: A total of 69 persons diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT), who were self instilling their eye drops, were included in this study. Patients were interviewed for subjective difficulties being faced during self instillation using a formatted questionnaire. The patients were then subjected to assisted eye drop instillation for 4 weeks. The change IOP and consumption of eye drop bottles were compared between self installation and assisted instillation periods. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test was applied at 5% significance level to compare pre and post interventional change of parameters. Results: Fifty three percent of patients reported subjective difficulties while self instilling their eye drops. Non-compliance was self-reported in 18% of the patients. The IOP dropped by 10-13% (P-value < 0.0001) and consumption of eye drop bottles was 14% (P-value < 0.0001) higher during self instillation. Conclusion: Assisted eye drop instillation may be beneficial to achieve better IOP control.

Effect of textured eye drop bottles on the photostability of pranoprofen 0.1% ophthalmic solution

Context: Ophthalmic solutions are usually filled in a plastic bottle due to its durability and disposability. In Japan, photostability is one of the concerns for the quality control because an eye drop bottle must be a transparent container.Objective: The present work studied the effect of textured eye drop bottles on its light blocking to improve the photostability of ophthalmic solutions.Materials and methods: We investigated the photostability of Pranoprofen ophthalmic solution filled in a variety of textured eye drop bottles. Pranoprofen content was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and surface structure of textured eye drop bottles was evaluated by transmittance, calculated average roughness (Ra) and haze intensity.Results: We observed that eye drop bottle which had greater than Ra value of 1.0 µm and haze intensity 62% clearly showed photostability improvement.Conclusions: This report is the first one which shows that photostability of ophthalmic solution is improved by using textured eye drop bottle. Moreover, this approach is a simple and effective method to improve the photostability. This method is available for not only various ophthalmic applications but also other liquid pharmaceuticals or food products.

Electronic monitoring to assess adherence with once-daily glaucoma medications and risk factors for nonadherence: the automated dosing reminder study.

Adherence with topical glaucoma medications is low in some patients. To identify these patients, we need more information on risk factors for nonadherence. To assess adherence with once-daily glaucoma medication. Prospective cohort study involving patients who were recruited from a university-based glaucoma clinic and treated with once-daily prostaglandin eyedrops. Baseline characteristics were recorded, and each patient was provided a medication bottle to hold his or her eyedrop bottle throughout the study. An electronic cap recorded each time the larger bottle holding the eyedrops was opened. Participants were administered standardized tests of depression and mental status and answered questions about their health and their attitudes toward medication adherence. They used the electronic monitors for 3 months, during which their adherence with medications was assessed. Adherence with daily glaucoma medication and factors associated with poor adherence. Of the 491 participants enrolled, 407 (82.9%) successfully completed the 3-month adherence assessment. Of this group, 337 (82.8%) took their medication correctly on at least 75% of days and were deemed adherent. Compared with this adherent group, the 70 participants (17.2%) who were nonadherent were slightly younger, were more likely to be of African descent, took medications for a shorter time, had a lower level of educational attainment, and had worse scores on mental status and depression scales (P < .05 for all). Nonadherent participants were less likely to be able to name their glaucoma medications, reported a lower estimate of adherence, and were more likely to admit some missed doses over the past 2 weeks or in general (P < .05 for all). Those who were nonadherent were also less likely to agree that remembering their eyedrops is easy, more likely to strongly agree with the statement that eyedrops can cause problems, and less likely to agree that they followed physicians' orders. Electronic monitoring of patient adherence documented that a sizable number of patients with glaucoma do not take their medications as prescribed. Factors were identified that may prove useful in targeting those nonadherent patients for interventions.

On formulating ophthalmic emulsions

The formulation of dilute, transparent ophthalmic emulsions (eye drops) with long shelf lives is a challenge because of the tendency of the emulsion droplets to aggregate, particularly in the presence of the water-soluble polymers typically used in eye drops. While many functions of eye drops, such as lubricity and residence time in the eye, are promoted by high concentrations of high molecular weight water-soluble polymers, emulsified lipids and drugs aggregate in the eye drop bottle if the polymer concentration is above the critical flocculation concentration (CFC). The purpose is to develop a simple approach to predict the CFC for polymers based on information readily available in the literature. High molecular weight guar was hydrolyzed to give a series of guar samples spanning a wide range of average molecular weights. The CFC values and critical viscosity concentrations were measured as functions guar properties, using electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and rheology measurements. The higher the guar molecular weight, the lower was the CFC, the maximum concentration that can be tolerated in the eye drop formulation. The guar CFC values were approximately equal to the overlap concentrations where guar molecules start to overlap in solution. We propose that the CFC can be estimated for any water-soluble polymer using the polymer molecular weight and the readily available Mark–Houwink parameters, thus providing a design rule for ophthalmic emulsions.

Prevalence of self-reported early glaucoma eye drop bottle exhaustion and associated risk factors: a patient survey.

BackgroundOne barrier to patient adherence with chronic topical glaucoma treatment is an inadequate amount of medication available between prescription refills. We examined the self-reported prevalence of early exhaustion of glaucoma eye drops prior to a scheduled refill, and associated risk factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was performed at a University-based clinical practice. Glaucoma patients at the University of Washington who were experienced with eye drop application and were on a steady regimen of self-administered glaucoma drops in both eyes took a survey at the time of clinic examination. The main outcome measure was self-reported early eye drop bottle exhaustion.Results236 patients were eligible and chose to participate. In general, patients included were relatively healthy (mean 2.3 comorbid medical conditions). Sixty patients (25.4%) reported any problem with early exhaustion of eye drop bottles, and this was associated with visual acuity ≤ 20/70 in the better eye (P = .049). Twelve patients (5.1%) reported that they “often” (5–7 times per year), “usually” (8–11 times per year) or “always” ran out of eye drops prior to a scheduled refill. Patients affected by this higher level (≥5 times yearly) of eye drop bottle exhaustion were more likely to have poor visual acuity in their worse eye ≤ 20/70 (P = .015) and had significantly lower worse-eye logMAR (P = .043).ConclusionsSelf-reported early glaucoma bottle exhaustion regularly affected 5% of patients in our population and 25% reported early exhaustion at least once; the main risk factor was poor vision in at least one eye. These results may not be generalizable to a broad patient population, or to those inexperienced with eye drop self-administration. However, this pilot study compels further evaluation and consideration of early eye drop bottle exhaustion in glaucoma patients.

Perception of topical ocular drug delivery: comparison between eyedrop instillation in open eyes and vaporisation in closed eyes

Objetivo: Avaliar por questionario qual o nivel de facilidade ou dificuldade para aplicacao topica de medicacoes oculares: vaporizacao em fechado ou instilacao de gotas em aberto e constatar por meio da observacao de pacientes pelos autores qual o metodo que foi utilizado com maior adequacao tecnica para aplicacao de drogas topicas oculares. Metodos: A pesquisa foi um ensaio clinico pareado e randomizado, realizada nos meses de agosto e setembro de 2012 no ambulatorio de Oftalmologia da Policlinica Ronaldo Gazolla (Campus Arcos da Lapa, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Estacio de Sa, RJ) em 50 pacientes conveniados de planos de saude ou do SUS. Foi utilizado um frasco de colirio e um de vaporizador com solucao Optive®. Cada participante aplicou em um dos olhos a solucao por vaporizacao ou instilacao de gotas atraves de um processo randomizado. Foi perguntado aos pacientes questoes pre-formuladas sobre a praticidade de ambos os metodos e observada a tecnica de aplicacao. Resultados: 32% acharam dificil ou muito dificil a vaporizacao em fechado e 34% a instilacao de colirio (p=0,9562). A dificuldade mais comum para ambos os metodos foi acertar o olho e ocorreu em 53% dos pacientes que tiveram dificuldades para vaporizacao e por 65%dos que apresentaram dificuldade para aplicacao de colirio. 38% dos pacientes necessitaram de mais de uma instilacao para aplicacao do colirio, enquanto 30% dos pacientes precisaram de mais de uma aplicacao para que a droga vaporizada tivesse contato com o (p=0,5224). Em 74% dos pacientes houve toque da ponta do colirio com os cilios, ja com o vaporizador nao houve um toque do orificio do vaporizador com o dedo do paciente (p=0,5433). Conclusao: A maior facilidade ou dificuldade percebida pelos pacientes foi equivalente para instilar o colirio em relacao a vaporizacao em fechado. O metodo da vaporizacao foi realizado mais adequadamente devido a frequencia elevada de toques da ponta do colirio nos tecidos oculares.

クロマトグラフィー学習のための携帯用実験教材の試作と実践

A portable kit for performing thin layer chromatography (TLC) was prepared as an experimental tool for learning chromatography in and outside of class. This kit mainly consisted of the following components : (1) two plastic eye drop bottles containing water and ethanol, respectively (for developing or extracting solvents) ; (2) aluminum TLC sheets (15×35mm) precoated with octadecylsilanized silica gel ; (3) a plastic push top vial for development chamber ; (4) a screw top glass vial containing colored bath powder for the extraction of dyes. The better test scores of the students using the experimental kit on the review test for chromatography suggested the kit was effective for better understanding of chromatographic behavior.

Difficulties in the use of medicine packaging

Abstract A postal questionnaire sent to a large group of the general public asked about difficulties encountered in the use of liquid medicine bottles, eye-drop containers, ointment/cream tubes and inhalers. Liquid medicine bottles and ointment/cream tubes were the most widely used, with eye-drop bottles having been used by approximately half of the respondents. Only 16 per cent had used inhalers. The use of eye-drop bottles and ointment/cream tubes caused the greatest number of difficulties for the majority of users. Other than with inhalers, those aged under 40 years reported the greatest number of difficulties with medicine containers. It is suggested that new medicine containers be designed to overcome the large number of difficulties reported by the general public.

Adherence with brimonidine in patients with glaucoma aware and not aware of electronic monitoring

To assess the impact of open versus masked adherence monitoring on adherence with topical brimonidine using two different dosing schedules. Thirty-seven patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled in a prospective, observational cohort study. Patients were randomly assigned to open or masked adherence monitoring and to brimonidine twice daily (BID) or three times daily (TID). Patients received conventional brimonidine eye drops with attached electronic monitoring devices for 4 weeks with weekly intraocular pressure measurements. Adherence calculations comprised dosing intervals, adherence rate and time covered. Subgroup analysis with anova included the factors masking, regimen, diagnosis and age. Among 36 individually analysed patients, 12 (33%) had adherence rates above 75%, therein two (5%)>90%. The mean adherence rate in 19 patients aware of adherence measurements was 70 ± 17% for brimonidine BID and 65 ± 14% for TID, not significantly different to the rates of 17 patients not informed about adherence measurements (77 ± 6% BID, 62 ± 9% TID, p = 0.24). On average, patients with brimonidine TID achieved significantly lower adherence rates (64 ± 12%) than patients on BID (73 ± 13%, p = 0.02). Still, patients on TID applied brimonidine more often (TID 1.9 ± 0.3, BID 1.5 ± 0.1 mean applications per day). The median coverage was 70% and showed no statistically significant difference between patients on BID and TID (p = 0.36). The study findings suggest that adherence measurements are not significantly altered by open adherence monitoring, which may simplify future adherence studies. Adherence with brimonidine eye drops was insufficient for most patients. These results demonstrate the necessity to develop new strategies to improve compliance in glaucoma therapy.

Handling Test of Eye Drop Dispenser—Comparison of Unit-Dose Pipettes with Conventional Eye Drop Bottles

The aims of this study were to investigate how elderly people handle single-use eye drop dispensers (unit-dose pipettes) and to compare the performance with conventional eye drop bottles. In this open-label study, the handling of unit-dose pipettes and conventional eye drop bottles was compared in 41 elderly people who had little or no prior regular use of eye drop dispensers. The participants tested both types of dispenser once, and the following 7 variables were studied: ease/difficulty of opening the dispenser; influence of the size for handling of the dispenser; influence of the shape for handling of the dispenser; observation of the contents in the dispenser; the feeling of the dispenser in the hand; ease/difficulty of drop instillation on the eye from the dispenser; and overall performance of the eye drop dispenser. The dispensers contained isotonic saline, and a visual analog scale was used for assessment of each of the above variables. The mean age of the participants was 73 years. A statistically significant difference in favor of the unit-dose pipettes was found with respect to observation of the contents in the dispenser, ease of administration, and the overall performance. Women regarded the unit-dose pipettes generally better than the bottles, but such a difference was not seen in men. The study participants managed the unit-dose pipettes at least as well as the conventional eye drop bottles. If anything, the unit-dose pipettes appeared to be easier to use.

Preservative-free Treatment in Glaucoma Is a Sensible and Realistic Aim for the Future

Medical therapy is usually the first-choice option in the management of glaucoma. However, adverse effects of ophthalmic preparations can potentially jeopardise the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Eye-drop bottles contain multiple components, all of which have the potential to cause adverse reactions, although it is the preservatives that are major culprits. The effect of preservatives on the eye has been studied extensively in both human and animal tissues. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a highly effective preservative and the most commonly used in antiglaucoma medications; however, BAC is toxic to ocular tissue, having the potential to cause adverse effects. The use of less toxic preservatives or preservative-free medications has the potential to improve the management of glaucoma.

Self‐application of single‐use eyedrop containers in an elderly population: comparisons with standard eyedrop bottle and with younger patients

To test whether patients aged >or=80 years can safely and successfully apply eyedrops from a single-use eyedrop container without support, and to compare the results with those of younger patients using single-use containers and older patients using standard eyedrop bottles. Patients aged >or=80 years who had no physical or mental conditions hindering self-application of eyedrops and actually did so because of glaucoma or dry eyes were included consecutively in the study group (n = 44) in order to perform self-application of eyedrops from single-use eyedrop containers. Patients were observed meticulously by two investigators, who documented practical problems during the procedure in a checklist. In control group A (n = 22), glaucoma or sicca patients aged between 50 and 65 years applied drops from single-use eyedrop containers; in control group B (n = 28), glaucoma or sicca patients aged >or=80 years used a traditional eyedrop bottle. Successful application of the drops into the conjunctival sac was achieved by 57% in the study group (95% and 89% in control groups A and B, respectively). Scratching of the eyedrop container along the conjunctiva or cornea was observed in 68% of the study group (41% and 61% in control groups A and B, respectively). Frequency of problems during opening and self-application of single-use eyedrop containers in the study group showed an inverse correlation to visual acuity in the better eye and previous experience with this kind of eyedrop container. Older patients have massive problems in self-administering eyedrops from single-use containers. Factors influencing the success of self-application may include the patient's previous experience with this kind of eyedrop container and the patient's visual acuity.

Microbial contamination of multiply used preservative-free artificial tears packed in reclosable containers

Background/aims:To evaluate microbial contamination of multiply used preservative-free artificial tears packed in reclosable containers after daily use.Methods:Subjects were provided with preservative-free artificial tears (Groups 1 and 2) and artificial tears...

Evaluation of fungal and bacterial contaminations of patient-used ocular drops

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of fungal and bacterial contaminations of in-use eye drop products in the teaching department of ophthalmology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz. Two hundred and eighty seven eye drop bottles were randomly collected at the end of day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4 and day 7 of use. The eye drop residues, swabs from internal caps and droppers were inoculated onto MacConkey agar, blood agar and Sabouraud's dextrose agar. The identification of the recovered organisms was accomplished using standard microbial identification techniques. The incidence of microbial contamination of in-use eye drop products was 17.8%, with the highest rate (24.6%) and the lowest rate (9.0%) noted with day 1 and day 3 samples, respectively. The most contaminated part of the eye drop products was the caps (45.9%) followed by droppers (41.0%) and residual contents (13.1%). Considering mendicants contents, those with pilocarpine (41.7%) had the highest rate of contamination followed by atropine (31.8%), tropicamide (28.6%) and betamethasone (23.3%). Our study revealed the potential risk of contamination of in-use eye drop products in hospitals, but we did not find a direct relationship between usage duration and contamination rate.

Impacto econômico do custo de colírios no tratamento do glaucoma

To evaluate the daily cost of antiglaucoma eyedrops and the economic impact related to the minimal wage; to compare the cost of drug association in the single presentation in relation to separate presentations; to analyze the additional percent antiglaucoma drug cost related to standard therapy (generic timolol maleate). Fifteen eyedrop bottles of each one of the twenty antiglaucoma products were used. The number and mean eyedrop size per bottle of drug were measured and the duration and treatment costs calculated. A large variation in the mean daily cost, respectively: R$ 0.077 for generic timolol maleate (cheapest) and R$ 1.910 for Xalacom (most expensive), was observed. It should be noted that the product of minimal economic impact, as related to the minimal wage, was the standard eyedrop therapy with 1.2% to 1.6%, while the association of Xalatan with Timoptol XE showed a variation of 21.7% to 30.0%. The cost of Cosopt and Xalacom was greater than the associations of, respectively: Trusopt + standard eyedrop and Xalatan + standard eyedrop (p<0.001). Xalacom represented an additional cost to standard therapy of 1.698.2% to 1.765.1%. The variation of antiglaucoma eyedrop cost was almost 30 times between the cheapest and the most expensive, which represented an economic monthly impact of 29.1% on the value of the minimal wage. The combined therapy in the separate presentations presented a lower cost than drug association in a single presentation. The use of antiglaucoma drugs represents a high percent additional cost related to standard therapy.