title: Overview of the [corrected] travoprost /timolol BAK-free fixed combination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally, representing a significant public health concern. More than 60 million people are affected by glaucoma worldwide; as this population ages, the number is expected to increase. Glaucoma is a collection of heterogeneous diseases sharing common clinical characteristics. The goal of treatment is to prevent significant visual dysfunction through reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a review of the current literature about combination therapeutic regimens for the reduction of IOP, focusing on the risk : benefit profile of a fixed-combination therapy using travoprost and timolol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since the debut of prostaglandin analogues in the 1990s, only modest innovation has occurred in glaucoma pharmacology. A growing body of research has established that the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK) might not be the benign contributor expected of excipient ingredients. Thus, BAK-free treatments were developed, with the goal of IOP reduction without furthering ocular surface disease symptoms. The BAK-free travoprost/timolol combination represents an important addition to glaucoma medication options and may fill an unmet need in this therapeutic arena.
authors.affiliation: 1st University Department of Ophthalmology, AHEPA Hospital, Glaucoma Unit, Thessaloniki, Greece. konstas@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Anastasios G P
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Konstas
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Realini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013999:Timolol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069557:Travoprost
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D003008:Cloprostenol; D013999:Timolol; D000069557:Travoprost