Prolensa (Bromfenac 0.07%) is hard to find in 2026. Learn why this eye drop is in short supply, what's causing the shortage, and how to find it in stock near you.
You just had cataract surgery. Your ophthalmologist handed you a prescription for Prolensa, and you figured picking it up would be the easy part. But when you got to the pharmacy, you heard the dreaded words: "We don't have it in stock."
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Prolensa (Bromfenac 0.07% ophthalmic solution) has become increasingly difficult to find at pharmacies across the country. In this article, we'll explain what Prolensa is, why it's been so hard to find in 2026, and what you can do to get the medication you need.
Prolensa is a prescription eye drop used to treat inflammation and pain after cataract surgery. It belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Unlike the NSAIDs you might take by mouth (like ibuprofen), Prolensa is applied directly to the eye.
The active ingredient, Bromfenac, works by blocking enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes produce prostaglandins — chemicals that cause inflammation, swelling, and pain. By stopping prostaglandin production in the eye, Prolensa helps your eye heal more comfortably after surgery.
Prolensa is typically prescribed as one drop once daily in the affected eye, starting one day after surgery and continuing for 14 days. Its once-daily dosing is one of the reasons ophthalmologists prefer it over older options that require multiple daily doses.
There are several factors contributing to the difficulty patients face when trying to fill a Prolensa prescription in 2026:
Prolensa is manufactured by Bausch + Lomb (now under Sun Pharmaceutical Industries). Transitions in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution can lead to gaps in supply. Sterile ophthalmic products like eye drops require specialized manufacturing facilities and rigorous quality controls, making them especially vulnerable to production delays.
Because Prolensa is a specialty eye medication used primarily after cataract surgery, many retail pharmacies don't keep it on their shelves regularly. It's not a high-volume medication like blood pressure pills or diabetes drugs. Pharmacies tend to stock what sells most frequently, and Prolensa may not make the cut at every location.
Many insurance plans require prior authorization or step therapy before covering Prolensa. This means your doctor may need to show that you tried a cheaper generic NSAID eye drop first (like Ketorolac or Diclofenac ophthalmic) before the plan will approve Prolensa. These extra steps can delay your ability to get the medication, especially right after surgery when timing matters most.
Generic Bromfenac 0.07% is now available, which is generally good news for patients. However, the introduction of generics can sometimes reduce the supply of the brand-name product, as manufacturers shift focus. Some pharmacies may stock the generic version instead of brand Prolensa, which can create confusion if your prescription specifies the brand.
If you're having trouble finding Prolensa, here are some practical steps you can take:
The fastest way to find Prolensa in stock is to use Medfinder. Medfinder shows you real-time availability at pharmacies near you, so you don't have to call around one by one. Simply search for Prolensa and enter your zip code to see which pharmacies have it available.
If brand-name Prolensa isn't available, ask your ophthalmologist or pharmacist whether generic Bromfenac 0.07% is an acceptable substitute. The generic contains the same active ingredient at the same concentration and is often easier to find — and significantly cheaper. You can learn more in our guide on how to save money on Prolensa.
Independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies sometimes have better access to specialty ophthalmic medications. They may also be more willing to special-order Prolensa for you. Don't overlook hospital-affiliated pharmacies near your surgery center — they often stock post-surgical eye drops routinely.
Your eye surgeon's office likely deals with Prolensa availability issues regularly and may have samples, know which local pharmacies stock it, or be able to suggest an alternative medication that works just as well.
If your cataract surgery is scheduled in advance, ask about your post-operative medication plan during your pre-surgery appointment. This gives you time to locate Prolensa or arrange for a substitute before you actually need it. Check our tips on how to find Prolensa in stock near you.
Prolensa is an effective, convenient once-daily eye drop for managing post-cataract surgery inflammation and pain. Unfortunately, supply chain challenges, limited pharmacy stocking, and insurance hurdles have made it harder to find in 2026.
The good news is that you have options. Whether it's using Medfinder to locate it in stock, switching to generic Bromfenac, or asking your doctor about alternatives like Nevanac or Ketorolac, you don't have to go without treatment. The most important thing is to start your post-surgical eye drops on time — so if you're having trouble finding Prolensa, take action quickly.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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