NHS Logo
Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 11 - Eye 
Notes:

Any drug not listed on the Formulary should be considered Non-Formulary - Not recommended for prescribing

11.06 Treatment of glaucoma
11.06 Beta-blockers
11.06 Prostaglandin analogues

Latanoprost eye drops

First Choice

First line prostaglandin analogue eye drops

1st choice:

50 microgram/mL eye drops
Prescribe generically

2nd choice:

Offer preservative-free eye drops if there is evidence that the person is allergic to the preservative or has clinically significant and symptomatic ocular surface disease.

Preservative free eye drops 50 micrograms/mL as Lotacryn® multi dose bottle which is a cost effective and carbon saving choice compared to the unit dose vials.

3rd choice: 

Restricted Item RESTRICTED. For those unable to use multi dose bottle AND who also cannot use preservative containing eye drops:

50micrograms/ml eye drops 0.2ml unit dose preservative free 

Entry reviewed: December 2024

Latanoprost with Timolol eye drops 

Formulary

Second line when patients are unable to manage individual preparations.

1st choice: Latanoprost 0.005%/Timolol 0.5% Eye Drops (contains benzalkonium)

Offer preservative-free eye drops if there is evidence that the person is allergic to the preservative or has clinically significant and symptomatic ocular surface disease.

2nd choice: Latanoprost 50 micrograms and timolol maleate equivalent to 5 mg timolol Preservative free (Fixapost®)

Entry reviewed: December 2024

Bimatoprost eye drops

Formulary

Second line

Prescribe generically

1st choice:

100microgram/mL eye drops or 300microgram/mL eye drops

Offer preservative-free eye drops if there is evidence that the person is allergic to the preservative or has clinically significant and symptomatic ocular surface disease.

2nd choice:

Bimatoprost 300microgram/mL (BIMI®) preservative-free multi dose bottle 3mL or 9mL 

BIMI® has a 90 day expiry, intended to support the green agenda via reduction in plastic waste associated with single use vials.

3rd choice:

Restricted Item RESTRICTED. For those unable to use multi dose bottle AND who also cannot use preservative containing eye drops.

Bimatoprost 300microgram/mL preservative-free 0.4mL unit dose vials. 

Entry reviewed: December 2024

Bimatoprost 300micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops

Formulary

Second line when patients are unable to manage individual preparations.

Offer preservative-free eye drops if there is evidence that the person is allergic to the preservative or has clinically significant and symptomatic ocular surface disease.

2nd choice: Preservative free multidose bottles

3rd choice: Preservative free 0.4ml unit dose vials  

Entry reviewed: December 2024

Tafluprost (Preservative Free) eye drops 15micrograms/ml (Saflutan®)

Formulary

Second line

multidose bottles

0.3ml unit dose vials

Entry reviewed: December 2024 

Tafluprost and Timolol (Preservative Free) eye drops 15micrograms/ml (Taptiqom®)

Formulary

Second line when unable to manage individual preparations.

Tafluprost 15micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops 0.3ml unit dose vials

Entry reviewed: December 2024 

Travoprost 40mcg/mL eye drops

Formulary

Second line

Prescribe generically

Entry reviewed: December 2024

Travoprost and Timolol

Formulary

Second line when patients are unable to manage individual preparations.

Prescribe generically.

Travoprost 40micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops

Entry reviewed: December 2024

11.06 Sympathomimetics
11.06 Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and systemic drugs
11.06 Miotics
Classifications
May be initiated in any care setting
Specialist to advise therapy and provide first 28 days supply, continuation in Primary Care
Specialist to initiate and stabilise medicine prior to continuation in Primary Care
To be prescribed as per Shared Care Guidance. If no SCG in place status reverts to red.
Red medicines are designated as specialist only medicines which should only be prescribed by a specialist, usually within secondary care (either due to the requirement for specialist knowledge, long-term monitoring requirements, or restrictions that mean medicine supplies are only available to hospitals).
A decision has been made either locally and/or nationally not to routinely commission this preparation. Do not prescribe.
To be purchased over the counter. May be prescribed for chronic, long term conditions or on admission to hospital if essential.