Glaucoma Medications.

There are many types of medications that can be used for glaucoma, such as beta-blockers, miotics, and adrenergic agonists. These drugs work by either slowing the flow of fluid into the eye or by helping to improve fluid drainage. Medications can effectively stop the progress of the eye condition; however, as the eye develops tolerance to the medicine, it may be necessary to increase dosages as needed.
Medications for Glaucoma: An Overview
Glaucoma medicines are designed to either reduce pressure by slowing the flow of fluid into the eye or help to improve fluid drainage.

While these drugs can effectively stop the progress of glaucoma, increasing dosages may be needed as the eye develops tolerance to the medication.

Medications to treat glaucoma are serious medicine, not to be confused with over-the-counter eye drops for easing common eye irritations. In order to control the disease, glaucoma drugs are taken for life.

There are several different classes of medicine used for glaucoma (available in the form of pills or eye drops). Some of these classes of medications include:

•Beta-blockers
•Miotics
•Adrenergic agonists
•Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Beta-Blockers
The most popular glaucoma medication, Timoptic® (timolol maleate) is a beta-blocker eye drop. Usually taken twice daily, beta-blockers decrease production of aqueous humor.

These medicines may have side effects on the nerves, digestion, vision, skin, respiration, and heart of some individuals. Side effects may include:

•Lowered pulse rate
•Lower blood pressure
•Worsening of asthma
•Fatigue
•Breathing problems.

Miotics
Timoptic has a century-old predecessor, pilocarpine, that requires more frequent use to do its job, increasing drainage of aqueous fluid in both open and closed angle glaucoma. Pilocarpine is a miotic, designed to increase aqueous fluid drainage. Because these glaucoma medications work by making the pupil smaller, they can result in dim vision and may increase the risk of cataracts.

Types of Glaucoma.

Secondary GlaucomaGlaucoma can occur as the result of an eye injury, inflammation, tumor or in advanced cases of cataract or diabetes. It can also be caused by certain drugs such as steroids. This form of glaucoma may be mild or severe. The type of treatment will depend on whether it is open angle or angle closure glaucoma.

Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma
This form of secondary open angle glaucoma occurs when a flaky, dandruff-like material peels off the outer layer of the lens within the eye. The material collects in the angle between the cornea and iris and can clog the drainage system of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise.
Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma is common in those of Scandinavian descent. Treatment usually includes medications or surgery.

Pigmentary GlaucomaA form of secondary open angle glaucoma, this occurs when the pigment granules in the back of the iris (the colored part of the eye) break into the clear fluid produced inside the eye. These tiny pigment granules flow toward the drainage canals in the eye and slowly clog them, causing eye pressure to rise. Treatment usually includes medications or surgery.