Glaucoma Medication
Advancements in Glaucoma Medication
The latest advancement in glaucoma medication management is the first and only FDA-approved dissolvable ocular implant to reduce eye pressure. This tiny, dissolvable implant helps to lower eye pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or high eye pressure (ocular hypertension). With a quick, simple minor procedure, the implant can be inserted in the front chamber of the eye where it slowly releases the active medicine to help control the intraocular pressure.
In clinical studies, a single implant reduced eye pressure for more than four months. In some cases, eye doctors report that patients experience lower eye pressure for a full year. The implant dissolves on its own after about six months.
After the implant is placed in the eye, there is the potential for complications. It is very important to let your ophthalmologist know if any changes to the eye occur or if vision changes are noticed.
Patients interested in this medication alternative should seek the advice of their eye physician. He or she will discuss the procedure as well as the outcomes. Additional information can be found here.
Eye Drops
Your doctor may prescribe eye drops as an initial treatment for glaucoma. Since small amounts of eye drops are absorbed into the bloodstream, your doctor will consider all your current medications before deciding what prescription is right for you.
There are many types of eye drops that help to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and they work in a variety of ways. For example, prostaglandin analogs open a new passage to allow the aqueous humor (fluid) to exit the eye. Beta blockers lower IOP by decreasing the overall production of aqueous humor. Other eye drops decrease the production of intraocular fluid or increase drainage.
Pills
If eye drops do not sufficiently lower IOP, your doctor may prescribe pills to help decrease fluid flow in the eyes. Pills are usually taken 2 to 4 times each day. Oral medications can have more systemic side effects and may interact with other prescription drugs. It is important to write down all medications you are currently taking so your eye doctor can evaluate whether pills will be an effective part of your glaucoma treatment plan. Glaucoma pills are part of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor family of drugs and should be taken with meals or with milk to reduce side effects. Eating bananas or drinking apple juice is helpful in minimizing potassium loss. Pills are often reserved for severe glaucoma or patients that are not good candidates for surgery as they often have severe side effects.
What to Expect
Often patients require more than one medication to control IOP. Your doctor may prescribe a combination drop (more than one type of eye drop mixed together), multiple eye drops, or a combination of eye drops and pills.