Which Eye Drops Are Good for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma eye drops frequently are the first choice over glaucoma surgery and can be very reliable at managing IOP. If your eye doctor feels you are a excellent prospect for glaucoma eye drops, you may be recommended more than one type to accomplish the best IOP control.

A variety of choices are offered to deal with glaucoma. These include eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery. All are meant to decrease eye pressure and, thus, protect the optic nerve.

Presently, in the United States, eye drops are typically the first choice for treating patients. For many people, a mix of medications and laser treatment can safely manage eye pressure for many years.

Eye drops used in managing glaucoma decrease eye pressure by assisting the eye’s fluid to drain much better and/or decreasing the quantity of fluid made by the eye.

Their active component categorizes drugs to deal with glaucoma. These include prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and Rho kinase inhibitors. Also, combination drugs are offered for patients who require more than one type of medication. An older class of medications, the cholinergic agonists (such as pilocarpine) are not frequently utilized nowadays due to their side effects.

Common Types of Glaucoma Eye Drops

Prostaglandin analogs include Xalatan ® (latanoprost), Lumigan ® (bimatoprost), Travatan Z ® (Travoprost), and Zioptan ™ (tafluprost), and Vyzulta ™ (latanoprostene bunod), and they work by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye. They have a couple of systemic side effects, however, are connected with changes to the eye itself, including change in iris color and growth of eyelashes. Depending on the individual, among these preparations may be more effective and produce fewer side effects. Latanoprost and some formulations of bimatoprost are now offered in generic type. Tafluprost is a preservative-free prostaglandin analog.

Beta blockers such as timolol are the second most often utilized class of medication and work by decreasing the production of fluid. They are readily available in generic form and, therefore, may be more economical. Timolol is also readily available in a preservative-free formula. Systemic side effects of beta blockers can be decreased by closing the eyes following application or utilizing a technique called punctal occlusion that avoids the drug from going into the tear drainage duct and systemic flow.

Alpha agonists [Alphagan®P( brimonidine), Iopidine®] work to both decline production of fluid and boost drainage. Alphagan P has a purity preservative that breaks down into natural tear parts and may be much better tolerated in people who have allergic reactions to preservatives in other eye drops. Alphagan is readily available in a generic kind.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) lower eye pressure by reducing the production of intraocular fluid. These are readily available as eye drops [Trusopt® (dorzolamide), Azopt® (brinzolamide)] in addition to pills [Diamox (acetazolamide) and Neptazane® (methazolamide)] Except for brinzolamide, all CAIs are readily available in generic type.

Rho khinase inhibitors [Rhopressa® (netarsudil)] increase the drainage of intraocular fluid. This new class of glaucoma drug already available.

Combined medications can use an option for patients who need more than one type of medication. In addition to the benefit of utilizing one eyedrop bottle instead of 2, there is decreased exposure to preservatives. There may also be a financial advantage, depending on your insurance coverage plan. Cosopt ® is a combination of a beta blocker (timolol) and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (dorzolamide) and is readily available in generic type and also as a preservative-free formula (Cosopt® PF). Combigan® integrates an alpha agonist (brimonidine) with a beta blocker (timolol). Simbrinza ® is a beta blocker-free combination medication consisting of brinzolamide and brimonidine.

Generic vs. Branded Eye Drops to Treat Glaucoma

• The name on the bottle (generic and branded products).

There are different types of pressure-lowering eye drops utilized in the treatment of glaucoma. All the substance abuse in them have primary pharmaceutical names, which are not hallmarks. If your drops are just identified with the names of the drug or drugs they contain, they are said to be ‘generic.’ Nevertheless, many tears are better known by their brand name, created by the business that established the drug and took out a patent.

• What’s the difference between generic and top quality items?

The active ingredient( s) are the very same and at the same concentration. Other constituents might differ very slightly however the eye drops are substantially similar. The bottle and product packaging are likely to be different and may vary from one prescription to another.

Many people have no problem with generic drops; however, there can be some problems. For example, the design of the bottle may not fit your compliance aid, or you might not have the ability to squeeze the new container if the plastic is too difficult. Very hardly ever the little different solution may not suit you. If you experience any trouble, you ought to discuss it with your eye professional, GP or pharmacist. Alternatively, our Sightline operators might have the ability to help and recommend.

Can Glaucoma Be Treated Only With Eye Drops?

Your treatment will mostly depend upon which type of glaucoma you have. The most common type, primary open-angle glaucoma, is generally treated with eye drops. Laser treatment or surgery might be used if drops do not help.

Treatment for other types of glaucoma might include:

• primary angle closure glaucoma — instant treatment in healthcare facility with medication to minimize the pressure in the eye, followed by laser treatment
• secondary glaucoma — eye drops, laser treatment or surgery, depending on the underlying cause
• childhood  glaucoma — surgery to correct the issue in the eye that led to the build-up of fluid and pressure

You’ll likewise be advised to go to routine follow-up appointments to monitor your eyes and check that treatment is working. Many clinics have an eye center liaison officer who you’ll be in contact with. It’s essential not to miss any of these appointments.

Eye drops are the primary treatment for glaucoma. Numerous various types can be used; however, they all work by minimizing the pressure in your eyes.

They’re typically used between 1 and four times a day. It’s crucial to utilize them as directed, even if you have not observed any problems with your vision. Your sight is at threat if you don’t adhere to the suggested treatment.

You might need to try several types before you discover the one that works best for you. In some cases, you may require to utilize more than one type at a time.

Eye drops can trigger undesirable side effects, such as eye irritation, and some aren’t ideal for individuals with specific underlying conditions.

How to apply eye drops

To use eye drops:

• utilize your finger to pull down your lower eyelid carefully
• hold the bottle over your eye and enable a single drop to fall into the pocket you have developed in your lower eyelid
• close your eye and keep it closed for a few minutes

If you’re utilizing different types of eye drops, enable a minimum of 5 minutes in between using the various types.

After you have put in the eye drops, gently press in the within a corner of the eye (over the eyelid) for about a minute. This lowers the drainage of the eye drop from the eye, which helps to increase its impact. It likewise helps to minimize any side effects.

Treatment Concerns

No eye drop medication can be effective if it is not taken as prescribed. There are a variety of reasons why individuals being treated for glaucoma might not take their medications.

One factor is that they forget! Remembering to take a common medication is among the obstacles in the treatment of any chronic condition, and glaucoma is no exception. Some methods to help keep in mind include connecting a routine day-to-day activity (such as brushing one’s teeth) to taking one’s medication or setting timed reminders such as an alarm clock or cell phone.

A second consider not taking medication as recommended is economics. Glaucoma drugs can be pricey. Likewise, some medications might be covered by your insurance while others are not. Your optometrist will work with you to recommend the best choice for you.

Another aspect that influences the use of eyedrops is side effects. Besides negative reactions particular to the active component, ocular surface inflammation (conjunctival and corneal) can occur with any eye drop. This irritation can be either new in a client who never had symptoms before or can manifest as worsening of pre-existing ocular surface area disease (such as dry eye, meibomitis, and so on). Preservative-free medications (Zioptan, Cosopt PF, Timoptic in Ocudose) or those without the preservative BAK (Travatan Z, Alphagan P) are frequently beneficial in this scenario.

Used sources:

glaucoma.org/gleams/glaucoma-medications-and-their-side-effects.php, nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/treatments/, allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma-3-treatment.htm