Glaucoma Medications

Glaucoma medications come in many forms, such as beta-blockers, miotics, and adrenergic agonists. These medications work by either slowing the flow of fluid into the eye or by helping to improve fluid drainage. Glaucoma medications can effectively stop the progress of glaucoma; however, as the eye develops tolerance to the glaucoma medication, it may be necessary to increase dosages of medication as needed.

 

An Overview of Glaucoma Medications

Glaucoma medications are designed to either reduce pressure by slowing the flow of fluid into the eye or help to improve fluid drainage.
 
While glaucoma medications can effectively stop the progress of glaucoma, increasing dosages of glaucoma medications may be needed as the eye develops tolerance to the medication.
 
Glaucoma medications are serious medicine, not to be confused with over-the-counter eye drops for easing common eye irritations. In order to control the disease, glaucoma medications are taken for life.
 
There are several different classes of medicines used for glaucoma (available in the form of pills or eye drops). Some of these classes of glaucoma medications include:
 
  • Beta-blockers
  • Miotics
  • Adrenergic agonists
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
     
Beta-Blockers as Glaucoma Medication
The most popular glaucoma medication, Timoptic® (timolol maleate) is a beta-blocker eye drop. Usually taken twice daily, beta-blockers decrease production of aqueous humor.
 
These glaucoma medications may have side effects on the nerves, digestion, vision, skin, respiration, and heart of some individuals. Side effects may include:
 
Miotics as Glaucoma Medications
Timoptic has a century-old predecessor, pilocarpine, that requires more frequent use to do its job, increasing drainage of aqueous fluid in both open and closed angle glaucoma. Pilocarpine is a miotic, designed to increase aqueous fluid drainage. Because these glaucoma medications work by making the pupil smaller, they can result in dim vision and may increase the risk of cataracts.
(Glaucoma Medications Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD