Riboflavin Ophthalmic Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 12, 2025.
Applies to riboflavin ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.
Precautions
Your doctor will check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Contact your doctor right away if you have severe eye pain or if you notice any sudden change in your vision after receiving this medicine.
This medicine may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, riboflavin ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking riboflavin ophthalmic:
More common side effects
- blindness
- blurred vision
- change in color vision
- decreased vision
- difficulty seeing at night
- eye pain, irritation or redness, or inflammation
- feeling of having something in the eye
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
- painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
Less common side effects
- drainage from the eyes
- eye discomfort
- seeing flashes or sparks of light
- seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision
- sensitivity of the eyes to light
Other side effects
Some side effects of riboflavin ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- dry eyes
- headache
Less common side effects
- double vision
- redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelid
- seeing double
- watering of the eyes
For healthcare professionals
Applies to riboflavin ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.
General adverse events
The most commonly reported side effects include corneal opacity, punctate keratitis, corneal striae and corneal epithelium defect.[Ref]
Ocular
- Very common (10% or more): Corneal opacity/haze (up to 71%), corneal epithelium defect (up to 28%), eye pain (up to 26%), punctate keratitis (up to 25%), corneal striae (up to 24%), photophobia (up to 19%), blurred vision (up to 17%), foreign body sensation in eyes (up to 15%), dry eye (up to 14%), ocular hyperemia (up to 14%), reduced visual acuity (up to 11%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Anterior chamber cell, anterior chamber flare, corneal disorder, asthenopia, corneal edema, diplopia, eye discharge, eye edema, eye pruritus, eyelid edema, glare, halo vision, keratitis, increased lacrimation, Meibomian gland dysfunction, ocular discomfort, visual impairment, vitreous detachment
- Frequency not reported: Blepharitis, corneal thinning[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Headache[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Eye complication associated with device[Ref]
See also:
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References
1. (2016) "Product Information. Photrexa (riboflavin ophthalmic)." Avedro, Inc.
2. (2016) "Product Information. Photrexa Viscous (riboflavin ophthalmic)." Avedro, Inc.
More about riboflavin ophthalmic
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Further information
Riboflavin ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.