6 types of glaucoma medications that are often prescribed

Glaucoma is a disease that occurs when the eye pressure increases and damages the optic nerves. As a result, vision conditions can be threatened if glaucoma is not treated properly. What medications, both eye and oral drops, do doctors usually prescribe to help with glaucoma symptoms?

What medications are used for glaucoma?

If a person has been diagnosed with glaucoma, the doctor will determine a treatment plan that suits their health condition and the type of glaucoma they have. A major part of glaucoma treatment is prescription eye drops.

The eye drops will help lower the pressure on the eyeball of the glaucoma patient, thereby preventing damage to the optic nerve.

However, please note that these drops cannot cure glaucoma completely, or restore vision that has been damaged by glaucoma. Giving drops will only prevent the disease from getting worse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the types of drugs most often prescribed by doctors for people with glaucoma:

1. Prostaglandin analog drugs

Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure due to fluid buildup. This buildup can occur because the drainage channels that should drain the eye fluid are clogged.

This prostaglandin analog drug works by increasing the discharge of fluid from the eyeball. This will reduce the pressure on the eyeball. You will usually be given a dose of drug use 1 time a day.

These types of drops are usually more effective at reducing eyeball pressure in open-angle glaucoma patients. The following are drugs belonging to the types of prostaglandin analogs:

• tafluprost
• bimatoprost
• latanoprostene
• travaprost
• latanoprost

Generally, prostaglandin analogues rarely cause side effects. However, in some cases, the patient may experience a change in the color of the iris after using these drops. Other reported side effects include discoloration of the eyelids, eyelash growth, red eyes, and itching.

2. Medicine beta blockers

Besides being used for hypertension, beta blockers is also often prescribed by doctors as eye drops for glaucoma. This drug works by reducing the production of fluid in the eyeball. Your doctor will usually prescribe this medicine for use 1-2 times a day, depending on your condition.

Medicines included in the group beta blockers is:

• timolol
• levobunolol
• metipranolol
• betaxolol

Possible side effects due to medication beta blockers is low blood pressure, increased pulse, and fatigue. In people who have asthma or other respiratory disorders, this drug also has the potential to cause shortness of breath.

3. Alpha adrenergic blocking drugs

This drug also works by reducing the production of eye fluid and speeding up the process of its removal. Some examples of alpha-adrenergic drugs used for glaucoma eye disease are apraclonidine and bimonidine.

As with previous medications, alpha adrenergic blockers also carry a risk of side effects. Possible effects include irregular heartbeats, swollen and itchy eyes, high blood pressure, fatigue, and dry mouth.

The type of alpha adrenergic inhibitor drug will usually be given at a dose of 2-3 times a day. Of course, the dosage will depend on the patient's health condition.

4. Carbonic anhydrase blocking agents

Other eye drops that are given to treat glaucoma symptoms are the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor class. This medication will reduce fluid production as well as reduce pressure on your eyeball.

The types of drugs that fall into the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor class are dorzolamide and brinzolamide. Some of the side effects that may arise after using these drops include a metallic taste in the mouth, frequent urination, and tingling in the toes and hands.

For certain cases, your doctor may also prescribe oral or oral medications. Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors include acetazolamide and methazolamide.

Doctors usually recommend that patients use this drug 2 times a day. However, sometimes the dose of the drug will be increased to 3 times a day, depending on the progression of the glaucoma disease itself.

5. Combined drugs

Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe a combination of the above medicines. So, you can just use 2 different types of eye drops at the same time. The side effects that arise usually depend on what types of drugs are in the combination.

Some examples of eye drops that can be combined for glaucoma are:

• timolol and dorzolamide
• brimonidine and timolol
• brimonidine and brinzolamide

6. Cholinergic drugs

Cholinergic or myotic drugs will help increase the drainage of fluid from your eyeball. One example of cholinergic eye drops is pilocarpine.

Commonly reported side effects of this drug are headaches, eye pain, pupil constriction, blurred vision, and nearsightedness.

However, nowadays cholinergic drugs are rarely prescribed for the treatment of glaucoma. This is due to the high potential for side effects, and patients must use this drug 4 times a day.

Apart from using drops, of course, you still need to undergo regular eye examinations. You can also try a variety of simple natural ways to deal with glaucoma, such as adjusting a nutritious diet.

If the doctor feels that eye drops are not effective in treating the disease, the doctor may suggest other medical procedures, such as laser or glaucoma surgery.

Remember, you cannot buy the drugs mentioned above yourself without a referral or a prescription from a doctor. Always use drugs in accordance with the rules given by the doctor, so that the results given from the drug can work optimally.