The Effects of Glaucoma Drops

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can eventually cause blindness. Eye drops to treat glaucoma reduce the pressure inside the eye. Your eye doctor will determine which drops are best suited to treat you. If you have an allergic reaction to your eye drops, see a doctor immediately. If you have side effects from your eye drops, tell your doctor.

Adregenic

• Adregenic drops have epinephrine-type activity and work by increasing the drainage from the eye. Dipivefin Hydrochloride (brand name Propine) drops frequently cause allergic reaction. People who have had cataracts removed can experience decreased vision. They can also cause blurred vision, headaches, burning eyes, red eyes, rapid heart beat, irregular heart beat, anxiety and increased blood pressure.

Alpha agonist

• Alpha agonist drops work by decreasing the amount of fluid the eye produces and by increasing the drainage from the eye. Apraclonidine Hydrochloride (brand name Iopidine), Brimonidine Tartrate (brand name Alphagan), and Brimonidine Tartrate and Timolol Maleate (brand name Combigan) are all examples of alpha agonist drops. They can cause burning, stinging, fatigue, headache, sleepiness, dry mouth and nose, itchy eyes and swollen eyes.

Beta Blocker

• Beta blocker drops work by decreasing the amount of fluid the eye produces. Examples of beta blocker drops are Timolol Maleate (brand names Istalol and Timoptic), Betaxolol Hydrochloride (brand name Betoptic S), Levobunolol Hydrochloride (brand name Betagan), Metipranolol (brand name OptiPranolol), Carteolol Hydrochloride (brand name Istalol), Timolol Hemihydrate (brand name Betimol), Brimonidine Tartrate and Timolol Maleate (brand name Combigan) and Dorzolamide Hydrochloride and Timolol Maleate (brand name Cosopt). They can cause low blood pressure, slow heart beat, fatigue, shortness of breath, reduced libido, depression, hair loss, impotence, weakness, memory loss, stinging, red eyes, dry eyes, scratchy eyes and confusion.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drops work by decreasing the amount of fluid the eye produces. Brinzolamide (brand name Azopt), Dorzolamide Hydrochloride (brand name Trusopt), Acetazolamide (brand names Diamox and Sequels), Methazolamide (brand name Neptazane) and Dorzolamide Hydrochloride and Timolol Maleate (brand name Cosopt) are examples of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drops. They can cause stinging, burning, frequent urination, tingling sensation in the finger and toes, and inflammation of the cornea. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drops are not recommended for persons who are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Cholinergic

• Cholinergic drops work by increasing the drainage from the eye. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride (brand names Isopto Carpine and Pilopine HS), Carbachol (brand name Isopto Carbachol) and Echothiophate Iodide (brand names Phospholine Iodide) are examples of cholinergic drops. They cause dim vision, stinging, burning, blurred vision, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cataract, retinal detachment, stuffy nose, increased salivation, tearing and sweating.

Prostaglandin Analogs

• Prostaglandin analog drops work by increasing the drainage from the eye. Travaprost (brand names Travatan and Travatan Z), Bimatroprost (brand name Lumigan) and Latanoprost (brand names Xalatan) are examples of prostaglandin analog drops. They cause change in eye color, change in eyelid pigment, stinging, blurred vision, red eyes, itching, burning, dry eyes, skin rash, allergic skin reaction and increased respiratory tract infections.