A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Pilocarpine Medication for Glaucoma How it works: Pilocarpine is a miotic agent which means it constricts the pupil. As the pupil constricts it pulls on the trabecular meshwork, stretching it open. This results in increased...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Rho-Kinase (ROCK) Inhibitors Medication for Glaucoma Commonly prescribed: In December 2017 netarsudil (brand name: Rhopressa) became the first FDA approved medication in this class[1]. Cap color: White How it is...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Nitric Oxide Donators Medication for Glaucoma Commonly prescribed: As of early 2019 Latanoprostene bunod 0.024% (Brand name: VyzultaTM) is the only FDA approved medication in this class. Approved in November, 2017, this...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Prostaglandin Analogs Medication for Glaucoma A relative newcomer to medical glaucoma treatments. This class has only been FDA approved for a little over two decades. How this class of glaucoma medication works: Although the...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (CAI) Eye Drops Medication for Glaucoma Approved for use in the USA for the last 20 years, this class of medications is rarely prescribed on its own. How it works: Works on the ciliary body to...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (CAIs) Oral Medication for Glaucoma Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (CAIs) have been used to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) for over 70 years. How this class works: Works on the ciliary body to...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Alpha-Agonists Medication for Glaucoma About this class and how it works: Alpha-agonists have their effect on the ciliary body to reduce production of aqueous fluid. Additionally, like the prostaglandin analogs,...
A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma Medications Beta-blockers for Glaucoma The Beta-blocker class of medications has been used for over half a century. Indeed, all the way up through the turn of the millenium this class was the most commonly prescribed glaucoma medication....
