Alcon receives EU approval for paediatric use of Travatan

Alcon has announced that its glaucoma treatment Travatan has been approved by the European Commission for use in paediatric patients.

The eye drop solution has been granted an additional EU indication to decrease elevated intraocular pressure in paediatric patients, aged two months to less than 18 years, with ocular hypertension or paediatric glaucoma.

Travatan has been approved in this indication after demonstrating its effectiveness in relieving intraocular pressure in the targeted patient group following 12 weeks of treatment. The drug is also approved for use in adult patients.

Paediatric glaucoma is responsible for five percent of childhood blindness worldwide, with elevated intraocular pressure recognised as the only known modifiable risk factor for the condition.

Jeff George, global head of Alcon, said: "The addition of this indication demonstrates Alcon's long-term commitment and dedication to alleviating the patient burden of this sight-threatening disease."

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis, Alcon is one of the world's leading eye health specialists. It saw a five percent year-on-year sales increase during the third quarter of 2014.