What is ophthalmic riboflavin 5-phosphate and how does it work?
Ophthalmic riboflavin 5'-phosphate is a photosensitive medication used in combination with ultraviolet (UV) light, to strengthen the cornea. The procedure causes crosslinking of the collagen in the cornea’s supportive structure (stroma), which stiffens and strengthens the cornea.
How is ophthalmic riboflavin 5-phosphate used?
Ophthalmic riboflavin 5'-phosphate is an ophthalmic solution that is topically applied every two minutes for 30 minutes accompanied by UV light radiation in the eye. The procedure is used to treat eye conditions such as:
- Keratoconus: An eye disorder that causes progressive thinning of cornea, which makes the cornea unable to withstand the ocular pressure and bulge out.
- Corneal ectasia: Thinning of cornea following laser refractive surgery.
What are the side effects of ophthalmic riboflavin 5-phosphate?
Side effects of ophthalmic riboflavin 5’-phosphate treatment may include:
- Corneal opacity
- Punctate keratitis (inflammation of cornea in a pin-point pattern)
- Corneal striae (linear breaks in the Descemet’s membrane of cornea)
- Corneal epithelium (outermost layer) defect
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Foreign body sensation
- Ocular hyperemia
- Light sensitivity
- Reduced visual acuity
- Dry eye
- Eyelid edema
- Increased tearing
- Anterior chamber flare
- Glare
- Visual impairment
- Corneal disorder
- Corneal edema
- Anterior chamber cell (leakage of inflammatory cells into the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber)
- Vitreous detachment
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Eye discharge
- Eye edema
- Eye itching
- Eye fatigue
- Corneal thinning
- Halo vision
- Corneal inflammation (keratitis)
- Meibomian gland dysfunction
Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
What are names of some ophthalmic riboflavin 5-phosphate drugs?
Generic and brand names of ophthalmic riboflavin 5'-phosphate include:
- Riboflavin 5'-phosphate ophthalmic
- Photrexa
- Photrexa Viscous