Talking About Optometry For Kids

A Look At The Different Types Of Medications Your Doctor May Prescribe For Glaucoma

14 September 2016

Amelia Dunn

If you've been diagnosed with glaucoma or your doctor believes you're at a high risk for glaucoma due to high intraocular pressure, then you'll probably be prescribed a medication to manage the condition. Depending on your symptoms and their severity as well as your overall health, there are several types of medications your doctor may recommend. Here's a look:

Beta Blockers

These medications work by decreasing the amount of fluid your eyes produce. This lowers the intraocular pressure so you don't have as great a risk of nerve damage that can result from sustained high pressure. Beta blockers also lower blood pressure, so your doctor is likely to prescribe them if you're one of the many adults who suffer from both glaucoma and hypertension. There are also eye drop formulas that may be used if you only have glaucoma. Most patients tolerate beta blockers well, but they can cause dizziness, an upset stomach, and cold hands in some cases.

Prostaglandin Analogs

Your body naturally makes a type of hormones known as prostaglandins; these help cause fluid to drain out of your eye properly. Drugs that mimic the action of prostaglandins in the body are therefore effective in reducing the high eye pressure associated with glaucoma by encouraging fluid to drain. Most patients are given prostaglandin analogs in eyedrop form. They don't usually cause any serious side effects from a medical sense, but they can cause the eye to change color or the eyelashes to fall out. If you're bothered by these side effects, your eye doctor may be able to switch you to a different prostaglandin. Different formulas work better for different patients.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

A chemical called carbonic anhydrase is involved in signaling your eyes to produce more fluid. Drugs in this class work by inhibiting the action of carbonic anhydrase, causing less fluid to be produced. These medications come in both eyedrop and pill forms. They can be very effective for patients who don't show an improvement with beta blockers or prostaglandin analogs, but they're not usually prescribed until these other medications have proven ineffective. This is because CAIs can cause significant side effects like fatigue, depression, decreased libido, and a bitter taste in the mouth.

It may take a few tries before you and your eye doctor settle on a medication that controls your glaucoma without causing bothersome side effects. But be patient – there are plenty of options out there. If you want more information about glaucoma, click here to continue reading. 

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