← Back to Glaucoma Care Overview

Medical Therapy for Glaucoma

Prescription eye drops are the most common first-line treatment for glaucoma, helping to lower eye pressure and protect your vision.

How It Works

How Medical Therapy Works

Eye drops work by either reducing the production of fluid in your eye or improving the drainage of fluid, both of which help lower intraocular pressure (IOP).

Reducing Fluid Production

Beta-blockers, alpha agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors decrease the amount of aqueous humor (fluid) produced by your eye, lowering pressure naturally.

Improving Drainage

Prostaglandin analogs and alpha agonists enhance the eye's natural drainage system, allowing fluid to flow more freely out of the eye.

Medication Types

Types of Glaucoma Medications

Prostaglandin Analogs

Most commonly prescribed. These medications increase drainage of fluid from the eye, typically used once daily in the evening.Teal/turquoise caps identify this class.

  • • Examples: Latanoprost (Xalatan), Travoprost (Travatan), Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
  • • Very effective at lowering eye pressure
  • • May cause darkening of iris color or elongation of eyelashes
Teal cap bottle

Beta-Blockers

Well-established treatment. Reduce fluid production in the eye, typically used once or twice daily.Yellow caps identify this class.

  • • Examples: Timolol (Timoptic), Betaxolol (Betoptic), Levobunolol
  • • Can be used alone or combined with other medications
  • • Not recommended for patients with certain heart or lung conditions
Yellow cap bottle

Alpha Agonists

Dual action. Both reduce fluid production and increase drainage, used 2-3 times daily. Purple caps identify this class.

  • • Examples: Brimonidine (Alphagan), Apraclonidine
  • • May also provide neuroprotection to the optic nerve
  • • Can cause eye redness or drowsiness in some patients
Purple cap bottle

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Available as drops or pills. Reduce fluid production through a different mechanism. Orange caps identify this class.

  • • Drops: Dorzolamide (Trusopt), Brinzolamide (Azopt) - used 2-3 times daily
  • • Pills: Acetazolamide (Diamox) - for acute cases or additional pressure control
  • • Oral forms may cause more side effects than drops
Orange cap bottle

Combination Medications

Multiple drugs in one bottle. Simplifies treatment regimens for better compliance. Blue, light green, or white caps identify these combination medications.

  • • Examples: Cosopt (timolol + dorzolamide), Combigan (timolol + brimonidine), Simbrinza (brinzolamide + brimonidine), Rocklatan (netarsudil + latanoprost)
  • • Fewer bottles to manage daily
  • • May be more cost-effective than multiple separate medications
White cap bottleLight green cap bottleBlue cap bottle
Guidelines

Proper Usage & Tips

Timing is Important

  • Use drops around the same time each day (can vary by about 30-60 minutes without problem)
  • Wait 5 minutes between different drop types
  • Set reminders on your phone if needed

Application Technique

  • Wash hands before applying
  • Tilt head back and pull lower eyelid down
  • Close eyes gently for 1-2 minutes after

Important Reminders

  • • Never skip doses - consistent use is crucial for preventing vision loss
  • • Report any side effects to your eye doctor promptly
  • • Don't stop medications without consulting your doctor first
  • • Bring all medications to your appointments for review
  • • Keep drops stored properly (some require refrigeration)