In the article, we consider a list of drops from glaucoma. This is a formidable eye disease that leads to vision loss. According to statistics, approximately 3% of the population suffers from this pathology, and in 15% of blind people this disease has caused blindness. The risk group for the development of this disease includes people after 40 years of age, however, in ophthalmic practice there are forms of the disease that affect younger patients (congenital and juvenile glaucoma). The incidence of the disease increases significantly with age.
Glaucoma is understood as a chronic pathology of the eyes, proceeding with a constant or periodic increase in intraocular pressure, disorders of the outflow of intraocular fluid, trophic disorders in the optic nerve and retina, which is accompanied by the occurrence of defects in the marginal excavation of the optic nerves and visual field.
In accordance with the mechanism of increasing pressure in the eye, a closed-angle and primary open-angle glaucoma is distinguished. With a closed angle there is an internal obstruction in the drainage eye system. With the development of an open-angle shape, the angle of the anterior chamber is open, but the outflow of fluid is impaired. What is included in the list of drops for glaucoma?
Types of drugs for glaucoma
The list of medications indicated for increased IOP includes several categories of drugs. These are drugs to enhance the outflow of fluid inside the eyes. These include:
- prostaglandins ("Travatan");
- cholinomimetics (“Aceclidine”);
- sympathomimetics ("Irifrin").
Everyone wants to make a list of the best eye drops for glaucoma. Medicines that reduce the production of intraocular fluid are also used:
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Trusopt);
- medicines of the combined type ("Azarga");
- beta-blockers ("Timolol").
Inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase from the list of eye drops in glaucoma inhibit the production of carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme produced by the ciliary body of the eye to form intraocular moisture. Sympathomimetics increase the fluid circulation inside the eyes due to the action on the sympathetic parts of the nervous system. Cholinomimetics lower intraocular pressure and normalize fluid outflow by opening the angle of the anterior ocular chamber.
Prostaglandins contribute to the normalization of the ocular drainage system, as a result of which the necessary excretion of fluid occurs.
Glaucoma Drops List
The selection of medicines against glaucoma is made by an ophthalmologist after carrying out diagnostic measures and identifying the causes of this disease. To navigate among the variety of glaucoma drugs produced in the form of drops, you need to understand which of them help to cope with various causes of the pathology and its manifestations. Among the most effective drugs should be noted:
- Timolol.
- "Azopt."
- Betaxolol.
- Xalatan.
- "Pilocarpine."
- "Travatan."
- "Aceclidine."
- Irifrin.
- "Fotil."
- “Xalac.”
- "Azarga."
- "Combigan".
The list of eye drops for glaucoma is constantly expanding.
Timolol
These glaucoma drops are classified as beta-blockers for topical use. The active element is timolol maleate. The medicine is a blocker of non-selective beta-adrenergic receptors. It does not have sympathomimetic activity. When instilled into the eyes, it helps to reduce IOP by reducing the production of aqueous humor and slightly increasing its outflow. By reducing intraocular pressure, the drug does not affect the size of the pupil and accommodation, as a result of which there is no deterioration in visual acuity or a decrease in the quality of night vision. Drops for the treatment of glaucoma begin to act approximately 20 minutes after injection into the eye, and the maximum therapeutic effect is observed after 1-2 hours. The duration of the drug is 1 day.
Indications for use of "Timolol" are:
- increase in ophthalmotonus;
- closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma (as part of combination therapy with myotics);
- uveal, post-traumatic or aphakic secondary glaucoma.
As contraindications to the use of drops, the instructions for the medication indicate: dystrophic pathologies of the cornea, rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, lactation period, hypersensitivity.
The medication is dosed as follows - 1 drop twice a day.
What else is on the list of eye drops for glaucoma and cataracts?
Azopt
This anti-glaucoma drug has the main effect - lowering eye pressure. It contains an active element - brinzolamide, which is considered an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase II. Suppression of its production leads to inhibition of the processes of formation of bicarbonate ions, and a further decrease in the transfer of sodium and liquid, which, ultimately, leads to a decrease in the flow of intraocular fluid and intraocular pressure.
The main indication for the use of the Azopt medication is high intraocular pressure in the open-angle type of glaucoma or hypertension. In accordance with the instructions for use, the drug is forbidden to use with individual sensitivity to the composition, with severe disorders of renal function. With caution, it is prescribed for liver diseases and angle-closure glaucoma. Instructions for use: 1 drop 2 times a day.
Betaxolol
In the list of drops for glaucoma, the drug “Betaxolol” is listed. The medication is part of the beta-blocker group, it is used in the treatment of glaucoma and in order to normalize intraocular pressure. The basis of the drops is the active element - betaxolol hydrochloride. When applied topically, this substance reduces pressure inside the eye by slowing the production of fluid in the eye. Unlike other β-blockers, the use of this drug does not help to reduce blood flow in the optic nerve. The main substance does not provoke contractions of the ciliary and circular muscles, the development of hemeralopia, the occurrence of "veil" in the eyes.
Betaxolol is indicated for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Contraindications to its use are:
- myasthenia gravis;
- cardiogenic shock;
- arterial hypotension;
- bronchial asthma;
- obstructive respiratory failure in severe cases;
- sinus bradycardia;
- weak sinus node;
- heart failure;
- age up to 18 years;
- sensitivity to components.
Instructions for use: twice a day, 1 drop.
The list of drops for the treatment of glaucoma is best clarified by a doctor.
Xalatan
A drug with antiglaucoma action, based on the active substance - latanoprost. This component acts as an analogue of prostaglandin F2α, which is included in the category of selective agonists of prostaglandin F. The medication reduces intraocular pressure, accelerates the outflow of moisture from the eye through the trabecular network and the uveoscleral pathway. The effect is observed approximately 3-4 hours after instillation, and lasts about 8-12 hours. Studies have shown that latanoprost has a negligible effect on fluid production and the blood-ophthalmic barrier. During the use of this drug in therapeutic dosages, there is no significant pharmacological effect on the respiratory system and heart.
Indications for the use of drops of "Xalatan" are: lower IOP with increased ophthalmotonus and open-angle glaucoma. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the medication and age less than 1 year. Instructions for use: instill 1 drop once a day (preferably in the evening).
"Pilocarpine"
The active substance of the same name for eye drops in glaucoma is a methylimidazole derivative that has a direct m-cholinomimetic effect. The drug has antiglaucoma and myotic properties, is an m-cholinomimetic. During its use, the circular and ciliary muscles contract, the permeability of the trabecular zone and the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye increase, and the outflow of moisture from the eye is normalized. As a result, there is a decrease in IOP.
Indications for use of the drug "Pilocapine" are:
- acute attacks of glaucoma;
- chronic angle open-angle glaucoma;
- secondary glaucoma (obstruction of the retinal arteries, its pigmented degeneration or central vein thrombosis, as well as atrophy of the optic nerves);
- corneal abscess.
These eye drops are also prescribed after the introduction of mydriatics, if necessary, the narrowing of the pupils.
Contraindications to the use of the drug are: iritis, iridocyclitis, eye conditions in which miosis is undesirable, age under 18 years, sensitivity to components.
Instructions for use: with primary glaucoma - 1-2 drops 2-4 times a day. In an attack of angle-closure glaucoma: for 1 drop every 15 minutes (1 hour), 1 drop every 30 minutes (2 and 3 hours), 1 drop per hour (from 4 to 6 hours of attack). Further, the medication is used 1 drop up to 6 times a day. And what is included in the list of drops for open-angle glaucoma?
"Travatan"
These are eye drops from glaucoma from the group of prostaglandins. Travoprost is the main substance of this medicinal product, an analogue of prostaglandin F2a, its selective antagonist, which has an increased level of similarity with prostaglandin receptors. The tool effectively reduces IOP, increases the outflow of fluid from the eye.
This medication is indicated in order to reduce intraocular pressure, the increase in which is due to open-angle glaucoma or high ophthalmotonus. Contraindications are the age of up to 18 years and intolerance to the components.
Instructions for use: 1 drop 1 time per day.
"Aceclidine"
The list of the best eye drops for open-angle glaucoma includes Aceclidine. It is an effective cholinomimetic that has a miotic effect. The drug has anti-glaucoma and myotic effect, is m-cholinomimetic. During its use, the circular and ciliary muscles contract, the permeability of the trabecular zone and the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye increase, and the outflow of liquid moisture from the eye is normalized. As a result, there is a decrease in IOP.
Indications for the use of the drug "Aceclidine" "are:
- chronic angle open-angle glaucoma;
- acute attacks of glaucoma;
- corneal abscess
- secondary glaucoma (obstruction of the retinal arteries, its pigment degeneration or central vein thrombosis, as well as optic atrophy).
Contraindications: iridocyclitis, iritis, conditions in which eye myosis is undesirable, age less than 18 years, sensitivity to composition. Eye drops "Aceclidine" instill 3-6 times a day.
Irifrin
The list of drops for angle-closure glaucoma is also quite extensive. "Irifrin" is a medication with alpha-adrenomimetic effects, a sympathomimetic that is not characterized by a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. When applied topically, phenylephrine (the active substance) narrows the conjunctival vessels, enhances the excretion of intraocular moisture and dilates the pupil. The active component also has a stimulating effect on postsynaptic alpha-adrenergic receptors, and has a minor effect on the function of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors.
Indications for its use:
- iridocyclitis;
- glaucoma-cyclical crises;
- red eye syndrome;
- accommodation spasm;
- for diagnostic purposes and during surgical interventions.
To eliminate glaucoma-cyclical crises, the medication should be instilled in the eyes 2-3 times a day.
"Fotil"
The list of eye drops for glaucoma also includes the Fotil drug. This is a combination agent based on two active ingredients: pilocarpine hydrochloride and timolol maleate. This glaucoma medication belongs to the category of beta-blockers for local use. The medicine is an indiscriminate type of beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, has no sympathomimetic activity. When instilled into the eyes, it contributes to a rapid decrease in pressure in the eye by reducing the production of aqueous humor and slightly increasing its outflow.
By reducing intraocular pressure, the drug does not affect the size of the pupil and accommodation, as a result of which there is no deterioration in visual acuity or a decrease in the quality of night vision. Drops begin to act approximately 20 minutes after administration to the eye, and the maximum therapeutic effect is observed after 1-2 hours. The duration of the drug is 1 day.
Indications for the use of Fotil are:
- increase in ophthalmotonus;
- closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma (as part of combination therapy with myotics);
- uveal, post-traumatic or aphakic secondary glaucoma.
As contraindications to the use of drops, the instructions for the medication indicate: dystrophic pathologies of the cornea, rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, heart failure, lactation period, hypersensitivity.
The medication is dosed as follows - 1 drop twice a day.
We reviewed the list of eye drops for glaucoma.