by What are glaucoma eye drops?
They also known as glaucoma medications, are the most common first-line treatment for glaucoma. These eye drops work to lower eye pressure and help slow the progression of damage to the optic nerve.
Types of glaucoma eye drops
There are several classes of Glaucoma Eye Drops medications that lower eye pressure through different mechanisms of action. The most commonly prescribed drop types include:
Prostaglandin analogs
Prostaglandin analogs are often the initial medication prescribed for glaucoma as they are highly effective at lowering eye pressure. Some common prostaglandin analog drops include latanoprost (Xalatan), travoprost (Travatan Z), and bimatoprost (Lumigan). These drops work by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers, such as timolol (Timoptic) and levobunolol (Betagan), work to decrease fluid production inside the eye. They are also quite effective at lowering pressure but may cause more cardiovascular side effects than other classes.
Alpha agonists
Alpha agonists like brimonidine (Alphagan P) work by decreasing fluid production and increasing outflow. They are generally as effective as beta blockers for lowering pressure.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors decrease fluid production in the eye by inhibiting the carbonic anhydrase enzyme. Examples include dorzolamide (Trusopt) and brinzolamide (Azopt). They often have milder side effects than beta blockers.
Combination medications
For people who need an even greater pressure lowering effect, combinations of the above classes can be prescribed. Common combination drops fuse a prostaglandin with either a beta blocker or carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.
Proper use of glaucoma drops
It is crucial that glaucoma medications are used exactly as prescribed to be effective. Here are some important tips for using eye drops properly:
– Wash hands before use.
– Tilt head back and look upward to form a pocket for the drop to fall into.
– Gently pull down the lower eyelid with one hand and squeeze prescribed number of drops into the pocket.
– Close eyes for 2-3 minutes without blinking to allow drops to absorb.
– Apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with a finger for 1 minute after using drops.
– Do not touch the tip of the bottle or container to the eye or other surfaces.
– Use drops in each eye as directed, typically once or twice daily depending on the medication.
– Do not use expired drops or mix different types of drops without consulting your eye doctor first.
Common side effects of glaucoma medication
While glaucoma eye drops are generally well-tolerated, some people may experience minor side effects from treatment. The most frequent side effects reported include:
– Eye redness
– Eye irritation
– Eye pain
– Blurred vision
– Headaches
– Allergic reactions (rare)
Systemic side effects like low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or shortness of breath are rare but possible with certain classes of drops like beta blockers. Be sure to notify your ophthalmologist of any side effects experienced.
Glaucoma eye drops provide an effective first-line treatment for lower eye pressure and slowing vision loss from glaucoma. Working closely with your eye doctor, following prescribed drop schedules correctly, and reporting any side effects can maximize the benefits of medication and help manage glaucoma long-term. Consistency with prescribed drops is key to achieving the best pressure control and vision outcomes.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
