Prolensa is a prescription NSAID eye drop used to reduce inflammation and pain after cataract surgery.

What Is Prolensa?

Prolensa is the brand name for Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07%, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) formulated as a sterile eye drop. It's manufactured by Bausch + Lomb (now part of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries).

Prolensa was FDA-approved for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction. It is not a controlled substance.

Other brand names for Bromfenac have included Bromday, BromSite, and Xibrom, though Prolensa is the most commonly prescribed 0.07% formulation with once-daily dosing.

A generic version of Bromfenac 0.07% ophthalmic solution is available, which is therapeutically equivalent to brand-name Prolensa.

What Is Prolensa Used For?

Prolensa has one primary FDA-approved indication:

• Treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens of your eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. The procedure causes temporary inflammation, and Prolensa helps control that inflammatory response so your eye heals properly.

Some doctors may also use Bromfenac off-label for:

• Inflammation after other types of eye surgery
• Prevention or treatment of cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery
• Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (limited evidence)

However, the FDA approval — and most insurance coverage — is specifically for post-cataract inflammation.

How Is Prolensa Taken?

Prolensa is straightforward to use:

• Dose: One drop in the affected eye(s) once daily
• When to start: Beginning one day after cataract surgery
• Duration: Continue for 14 days

How to Use the Eye Drops

1. Wash your hands
2. Tilt your head back and look up
3. Pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket
4. Hold the dropper above your eye and squeeze one drop into the pocket
5. Close your eyes gently for 1–2 minutes
6. Press lightly on the inner corner of your eye to prevent the drop from draining

Important tips:

• Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface
• Remove contact lenses before using Prolensa
• Wait at least 5 minutes between Prolensa and any other eye medications
• If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember — but don't double up

Who Should Not Take Prolensa?

Prolensa is contraindicated in patients with:

• Hypersensitivity to Bromfenac or any ingredient in the formulation
• Cross-sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs — if you've had asthma, hives, or allergic reactions after taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar medications, tell your doctor before using Prolensa

Use with extra caution in patients with:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ocular surface diseases (e.g., severe dry eye)
• Corneal denervation or epithelial defects
• Known bleeding tendencies or use of blood thinners
• History of complicated eye surgeries

Prolensa is Pregnancy Category C — it should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the risk. Safety in children has not been established.

For more about potential side effects, see our guide to Prolensa side effects.

How Much Does Prolensa Cost?

Prolensa is not cheap — here's what you can expect to pay:

• Brand-name Prolensa: $250–$450 per bottle (1.6 mL or 3 mL)
• Generic Bromfenac 0.07%: $80–$200 per bottle

Insurance Coverage

Prolensa is often covered by insurance, but many plans require:

• Prior authorization
• Step therapy — trying generic Ketorolac or Diclofenac ophthalmic drops first

Medicare Part D covers outpatient prescriptions for Prolensa. Part B may cover it if administered in a doctor's office. Coverage varies significantly by plan.

Ways to Save

• Ask for generic Bromfenac — it's the same medication at a fraction of the cost
• Manufacturer savings — Bausch + Lomb may offer co-pay cards for commercially insured patients
• Patient assistance — the Bausch + Lomb Access Program helps qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients
• Discount cards — check GoodRx, SingleCare, and other coupon programs

For a detailed breakdown, see our complete guide to saving money on Prolensa.

Final Thoughts

Prolensa is a well-established, once-daily NSAID eye drop that helps your eye heal comfortably after cataract surgery. It's effective, convenient (once a day for 14 days), and available in both brand and generic forms.

The main challenges patients face are cost and availability. Brand-name Prolensa can be expensive and has experienced supply disruptions. Generic Bromfenac is a smart alternative for most patients.

If you're preparing for cataract surgery and need to fill a Prolensa prescription, search Medfinder to find it in stock near you. And if you want to understand how it works at a deeper level, check out our article on Prolensa's mechanism of action.