| Glaucoma medication | |
| Specialty: | Ophthalmology |
Glaucoma medication is divided into groups based on chemical structure and pharmacologic action. The goal of currently available glaucoma therapy is to preserve visual function by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients that have an increased intraocular pressure.
Agents in common clinical use include:
When comparing people with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, medical intraocular pressure lowering treatment slowed down the progression of visual field loss.[2]
| Name | Other names | Mechanism of action | Dosage | IOP decrease | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prostaglandin analogs | |||||
| Xalatan | Increased USO (uveoscleral outflow) | Once daily | 25-32% | pigmentation of eyelashes, eyelid skin pigmentation, hyperemia (red eye), flu-like symptoms (joint/muscle pain and headache) | |
| Lumigan | Increased USO (uveoscleral outflow) | Once daily | blurred vision, eyelid redness, eye discomfort, permanently darken iris, darken/thicken eyelashes | ||
| Travatan | Increased USO (uveoscleral outflow) | Once daily | blurred vision, eyelid redness, eye discomfort, permanently darken iris, darken/thicken eyelashes | ||
| Beta blockers | |||||
| Timoptic | Decrease aqueous production | Every 12 hours | 20-30% | bronchospams, bradycardia, depression, impotence | |
| Betoptic | Decrease aqueous production | Every 12 hours | 15-20% | Fewer pulmonary complications due to selective Beta blockage | |
| Adrenergic agents | |||||
| Alphagan | Decrease aqueous production, increase USO | every 8–12 hours | 20-30% | blurring, foreign body sensation, eyelid edema, dryness, headache, fatigue, hypotension, depression, insomnia | |
| Miotics | |||||
| Pilocarpine | Isoptocarpine, Pilocar | Increase trabecular outflow | Every 6–12 hours | 15-25% | posterior synechia, keratitis, miosis, brow ache, cataract, myopia, retinal tear, dermatitis, increased salivation |
| Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors | |||||
| Dorzolamide | Trusopt | Decrease aqueous production | Every 8–12 hours | 15-20% | eye irritation, bitter taste |
| Brinzolamide | Azopt | Decrease aqueous production | Every 8–12 hours | 15-20% | eye irritation, bitter taste |
| Acetazolamide | Diamox | Decrease aqueous production | Every 6–12 hours | 15-20% | malaise, depression, weight loss, kidney stones |
Fotil is a combination drug consisting of:[3]