Xalatan: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives You Should Know

When you hear Xalatan, a prescription eye drop used to lower intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Also known as latanoprost, it's one of the most prescribed medications for protecting vision by reducing fluid buildup in the eye. Unlike oral drugs, Xalatan works right at the source—your eye—targeting the drainage system to let excess fluid escape. This simple mechanism helps prevent optic nerve damage, which is the main cause of irreversible vision loss in glaucoma.

People who use Xalatan often do so long-term, because glaucoma doesn’t go away—it just needs managing. It’s not a cure, but it’s a reliable tool. Many patients start with Xalatan because it’s once-daily, has fewer systemic side effects than pills, and works well for most. But it’s not the only option. Alternatives like Travatan, another prostaglandin analog that lowers eye pressure similarly to Xalatan, or Timolol, a beta-blocker eye drop that reduces fluid production, are common too. Some doctors switch patients between these based on cost, side effects like darkened eyelashes or eye color changes, or how well pressure stays under control over months.

What you won’t find in every doctor’s office is a clear comparison of how Xalatan stacks up against newer drugs like Lumigan, a prostaglandin analog with a slightly different chemical structure and sometimes fewer irritation issues, or combination drops like Combigan, which pairs a beta-blocker with an alpha agonist to hit pressure from two angles. And while Xalatan is often the first choice, it doesn’t work for everyone. Some eyes just don’t respond well, or the side effects become too much. That’s why knowing your options matters—especially when you’re managing a condition that can quietly steal your sight.

The posts below cover real comparisons you won’t get from a quick Google search. You’ll find how Xalatan compares to other pressure-lowering drops, what to expect when switching meds, how cost affects choices, and why some patients end up on combinations instead of single drops. There’s no fluff—just straight talk on what works, what doesn’t, and what to ask your doctor next.