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Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:892-893.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

AS ANYONE who has examined a dirty eyedropper bottle retrieved from deep within a patient's pocket or purse knows, the preservatives added to the formulation of antiglaucoma medications play a crucial role in preventing ocular infection among patients receiving long-term therapy. The preservatives must have sufficiently broad spectrum to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogenic organisms in multidose bottles opened and stored under less than ideal conditions. In many cases, the preservative must remain potent for many months.

The quaternary ammonium compound benzalkonium chloride (BAK) has served our patients well since shortly after mass-produced ophthalmic pharmaceuticals were introduced some 50 years ago. Benzalkonium provided the pharmaceutical industry with an inexpensive, broad-spectrum preservative that had the added benefit of enhancing the penetration of many drugs across the intact cornea. Despite BAK allergy in some patients and concerns about the adverse effect of BAK on the conjunctival epithelium¹ (and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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