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.
Glaucoma medication | |
---|---|
Specialty | Ophthalmology |
Medical uses
editAgents in common clinical use include:[1][2]
- Prostaglandin analogs
- Parasympathomimetic (miotic) agents, including cholinergic and anticholinesterase agents
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (oral and topical)
- Adrenergic antagonists (nonselective and selective Beta1-antagonists)
- Alpha 2 agonists
- Hyperosmotic agents
- Nitric oxide donators[3]
- Rho kinase inhibitors
When comparing people with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, medical intraocular pressure lowering treatment slowed down the progression of visual field loss.[4]
Comparison table
editName | Other names | Mechanism of action | Dosage | IOP decrease | Side effects |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prostaglandin analogs | |||||
Latanoprost | 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) |
Bimatoprost | Lumigan | Increased USO (uveoscleral outflow ) | Once daily | blurred vision, eyelid redness, eye discomfort, permanently darken iris, darken/thicken eyelashes | |
Travoprost | Travatan | Increased USO (uveoscleral outflow ) | Once daily | blurred vision, eyelid redness, eye discomfort, permanently darken iris, darken/thicken eyelashes | |
Beta blockers | |||||
Timolol | Timoptic | Decrease aqueous production | Every 12 hours | 20-30% | bronchospams, bradycardia, depression, impotence |
Betaxolol | Betoptic | Decrease aqueous production | Every 12 hours | 15-20% | Fewer pulmonary complications due to selective Beta blockage |
Adrenergic agents | |||||
Brimonidine | 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 |
Combinations
editFotil is a combination drug consisting of:[5]
References
edit- ^ Basic and clinical science course (2011–2012). Glaucoma. American Academy of Ophthalmology. ISBN 978-1615251179.
- ^ Myron Yanoff; Jay S. Duker (2009). Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Mosby Elsevier. ISBN 9780323043328.
- ^ "Nitric Oxide-Donating Drugs for IOP Lowering".
- ^ Vass, C.; Hirn, C.; Sycha, T.; Findl, O.; Bauer, P.; Schmetterer, L. (2007-10-17). "Medical interventions for primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007 (4): CD003167. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003167.pub3. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 6768994. PMID 17943780.
- ^ FASS (drug formulary): Fotil. Retrieved 2015-02-17