What You Should Know About Prolensa Side Effects

Prolensa (Bromfenac 0.07%) is a prescription NSAID eye drop used to treat inflammation and pain after cataract surgery. Like any medication, it can cause side effects — most of them mild, but a few that need immediate medical attention.

This guide covers the side effects reported in clinical trials and FDA labeling so you know exactly what to watch for during your 14-day course of treatment.

What Is Prolensa?

Prolensa is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in eye drop form. It works by blocking COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins — the chemicals responsible for inflammation and pain in your eye after surgery. You use it once daily for 14 days, starting the day after cataract extraction.

For a deeper look at how the medication works, see our guide on how Prolensa works.

Common Side Effects

These are the side effects reported most frequently in clinical trials. They're usually mild and tend to resolve on their own:

• Anterior chamber inflammation — mild inflammatory cells visible on exam (your doctor monitors this)
• Foreign body sensation — a feeling like something is in your eye
• Eye pain — mild stinging or aching, especially right after instilling the drop
• Headache
• Eye redness (conjunctival hyperemia) — temporary redness around the eye
• Eye irritation — general discomfort, itching, or burning
• Blurred vision — typically brief and clears within minutes of using the drop

Most patients experience little more than brief stinging or irritation when they put the drop in. If any of these become persistent or bothersome, let your doctor know — but they usually don't require stopping the medication.

Serious Side Effects

These are less common but require prompt medical attention. Contact your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Corneal erosion or perforation — severe eye pain, sudden vision changes, or a sensation that something has broken through the surface of your eye
• Corneal thinning — your doctor may detect this on exam; symptoms include increasing pain and light sensitivity
• Corneal epithelial breakdown — the protective outer layer of the cornea deteriorates, causing pain and tearing
• Delayed wound healing — the surgical incision takes longer than expected to close
• Increased bleeding of ocular tissues — including hyphema (blood pooling in the front of the eye)
• Keratitis — inflammation of the cornea causing pain, redness, and blurred vision

These serious side effects are more likely in patients who use Prolensa for longer than the recommended 14 days or who have certain risk factors (see below).

Who's at Higher Risk?

Certain patients are more likely to experience side effects — especially the serious corneal problems listed above. Your doctor should monitor you more closely if you have:

• Diabetes mellitus — diabetic patients are at higher risk for corneal complications
• Rheumatoid arthritis — autoimmune conditions can impair corneal healing
• Ocular surface diseases — pre-existing dry eye or other surface conditions increase vulnerability
• Corneal denervation — reduced corneal sensation (from prior surgery, herpes infection, etc.)
• Complicated ocular surgeries — repeat surgeries or procedures with complications
• Known bleeding tendencies — or concurrent use of blood thinners

Prolensa has not been studied in pediatric patients, so safety in children is unknown. It's classified as Pregnancy Category C — use only if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.

If you have an allergy or sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs (including reactions like asthma, hives, or swelling), tell your doctor before using Prolensa. Cross-sensitivity reactions can occur.

How to Manage Common Side Effects

For the everyday stinging and irritation that most patients experience:

• Use the drop correctly — tilt your head back, pull down your lower lid, and instill one drop. Don't touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface.
• Close your eyes gently — after instilling the drop, close your eyes for 1–2 minutes. Press lightly on the inner corner of your eye to reduce drainage.
• Wait between drops — if you use other eye medications, wait at least 5 minutes between each one.
• Expect brief blurriness — don't drive immediately after using the drop if your vision is blurry.
• Don't wear contacts — remove contact lenses before using Prolensa.
• Don't extend your course — use Prolensa for exactly as long as your doctor prescribes (typically 14 days). Longer use increases the risk of serious corneal side effects.

If you're concerned about drug interactions with Prolensa, especially if you use other eye drops or blood thinners, discuss this with your ophthalmologist.

Final Thoughts

Prolensa is generally well-tolerated for its short 14-day course. Most side effects are mild — brief stinging, minor irritation, or temporary blurred vision. Serious corneal complications are uncommon but real, especially in patients with diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or pre-existing eye surface problems.

The key is to use Prolensa exactly as directed, don't extend the treatment beyond what your doctor prescribes, and report any unusual symptoms right away.

If you're having trouble finding Prolensa at your pharmacy, check Medfinder to locate it in stock near you. For more about the medication itself, read our guide on what Prolensa is and how it's used.