Medicines and Products for Glaucoma

Medicines are the usual first treatment for open-angle glaucoma. They lower eye pressure and must be used every day as prescribed, because they cannot repair damage already done.

Eye drops

• Prostaglandin analogues such as latanoprost: increase drainage, usually once at night
• Beta blockers such as timolol: reduce fluid production. They can affect breathing and heart rate, so tell your doctor about asthma or heart disease.
• Alpha agonists and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drops
• Combination drops that put two medicines in one bottle

Tablets

Acetazolamide may be used for a short time to lower pressure quickly, for example in acute angle closure. It can cause tingling, frequent urination and low potassium.

How to use drops well

• Wash hands, tilt the head back and press gently at the inner corner of the eye for a minute
• Wait about five minutes between different drops
• Do not touch the bottle tip to the eye
• Use them at the same times every day and do not run out

Cautions

• Never stop or change drops without your eye doctor
• Do not use eye drops or ointments containing steroids unless prescribed, since they can raise pressure