Thank you for being part of the Preservative-Free community and for pledging your commitment to lifelong ocular health.
In this edition
Highlight: PFC at American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) 2025 annual meeting
Looking back at 2025: A Year of Momentum for Preservative Freedom
Looking forward to 2026: January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
Member Spotlight: Dr. Jerry Robben
PFC at AAOpt 2025
Results from the Preservative Freedom Glaucoma Patient Experience Survey were featured as a poster presentation at this year’s American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) annual meeting in Boston, MA. Coalition members, Cecelia Koetting, Jerry Robben, Monique Barbour, Elena Sturman, and Jacob Lang co-authored the work, helping to bring the findings of our survey to more eye care professionals.
Dr. Koetting presented the poster at the Congress, connecting with media and fellow eye care professionals to highlight the impact of the survey findings and what they mean for glaucoma care.
Don’t miss Dr. Koetting’s blog, “AAOpt 2025: Why It’s Time to Talk About Preservative-Free Glaucoma Treatments With Our Patients.” Read it, share it, and talk about it.
2025: A Year of Momentum
Preservative Freedom made powerful progress in 2025.
We uncovered new insights into preservative-free awareness across the United States and elevated the conversation around options to help ensure that we protect the ocular surface through informed choices around preservative-free eye care options.
We amplified our movement through social media and being present at key events to keep the topic top of mind and engage others to say EYE to Preservative Freedom.
We created patient materials to explain why considering preservative content is important, and specific reasons why preservative-free options may be recommended. Discover more of our activities on our blog.
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
As we look forward to 2026, Glaucoma Awareness Month in January is a great moment to reflect on the importance of protecting ocular surface health by choosing preservative-free options.
Many glaucoma patients will be prescribed two or more topical medications, and most that are prescribed today contain preservatives. Preservative exposure increases significantly in multi-drop regimens, which can worsen tolerance issues and accelerate ocular-surface damage, making preservative-free options an important consideration for people with glaucoma.1
Take action this Glaucoma Awareness Month. Start conversations with people with glaucoma and peers about preservative-free options, share the evidence, and help drive awareness.
Check out some of our helpful tools, information, and educational materials.
Coalition Founding Member Spotlight: Dr. Jerry Robben
Jerry Robben, OD, Chief Optometrist & Director of Clinical Research at Bowden Eye & Associates
Dr Jerry Robben is Chief Optometrist and Director of Clinical Research at Bowden Eye & Associates in Jacksonville, Florida. where he leads clinical studies in glaucoma, dry eye, and presbyopia. Nationally recognized for his expertise in dry eye disease, he lectures at major conferences and plays a key role in advancing emerging treatments, serving on multiple medical advisory boards and guiding innovative research collaborations. He is the founder and executive director of 90 Days to Dry Eye educational programs and was a founding member of Dry Eye University.
Dr Robben shares his expert perspective on Preservative Freedom and why protecting the ocular surface is essential to long-term eye health.
Q: How do you communicate with your patients about preservative-free treatments?
A: In our practice, we’ve established a culture where taking care of the ocular surface is paramount. We essentially treat dry eye in nearly everyone, not as a separate issue but as something we incorporate into everything we do. So when our glaucoma patients need to start or change medications, we always discuss preservative-free options up front. Because of our culture, they’re already accustomed to understanding the importance of maintaining a healthy ocular surface, so the conversation feels very natural. It aligns with everything we’ve been discussing with them since day one.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for more patients to be aware of preservative-free eye care and the choices they have?
A: I believe it’s important because the number one reason people seek eye care is to see better. Sure, treating glaucoma is very important to hang on to their sight, but we shouldn’t forget that if the ocular surface is disrupted, vision quality declines and then irritation and other dry eye symptoms begin and progress. Studies show that even one eye drop with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) can cause significant ocular surface disruption.2-7 Patients deserve to know their options for medications and that preservative-free options exist, and how they can help reduce other problems while still controlling their intraocular pressure.
Q: What do you feel is the role of eye care professionals in supporting greater awareness about preservative-free eye care?
A: Our patients look to us as eye health experts for guidance and inclusive information. We should fully inform the patient of their options and avoid putting everyone on the same “cookie-cutter” intraocular pressure medication because it’s easy. It doesn’t take much to make them aware of preservative-free options right from the start.
Q: Why did you join the Preservative Freedom Coalition?
A: I joined the Preservative Freedom Coalition because I have a passion for spreading the word about all things ocular surface, and preservative-free medications, and the mission of this coalition aligns with that passion.
References
Leung EW, Medeiros FA, Weinreb RN. J Glaucoma. 2008;17:350–355.
Thygesen J. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:707–717.
Goldstein MG, et al. Eye (Lond). 2022;36:361–368.
Zhang X, et al. Eye Contact Lens. 2019;45:11–18.
Baudouin C, et al. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2020;83:100916.
Chamard C, et al. Acta Ophthalmol. 2020;98:e879–e881.
Harasymowycz P, et al. Adv Ther. 2021;38:3019–3031.
About Preservative Freedom
The Preservative Freedom campaign is led by a Coalition of leaders in eye health and care in the United States. The founding members of the coalition include The Glaucoma Foundation, The Intrepid Eye Society, National Medical Association of Ophthalmology Section, Real World Ophthalmology, and Thea Pharma Inc. Together, the group focuses on raising awareness of unmet needs in ocular surface disease and opportunities to pursue preservative-free topical ophthalmic medications.
Learn more at preservativefreedom.com
If you or your organization would like to get involved in Preservative Freedom, please contact the secretariat at secretariat@preservativefreedom.com.
PRC-EN-2715-v1 12.2025