Eyes

Medicines for Glaucoma

A group of eye conditions, usually linked to raised pressure inside the eye, that can damage the optic nerve and cause irreversible sight loss — managed mainly with daily eye drops to protect vision.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve — the cable carrying signals from the eye to the brain — becomes damaged, often because the pressure inside the eye is too high. The most common type is chronic open-angle glaucoma, which is silent: it develops slowly and painlessly, gradually eroding peripheral (side) vision before the centre is affected, so many people do not notice until significant, permanent sight has been lost.

  • How it is treated: Treatment works by lowering the pressure inside the eye to stop further damage to the optic nerve.
  • Self-care: Attending regular eye tests and monitoring appointments, using drops exactly as prescribed and learning good drop technique, and telling your optometrist about any family history of glaucoma all help protect sight, as glaucoma can run in families.
  • When to seek help: A sudden painful red eye with blurred vision, halos around lights, headache and feeling sick or vomiting may be acute angle-closure glaucoma — a medical emergency that needs same-day eye care; seek urgent help, call 111, or go to A&E.

What it is

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve — the cable carrying signals from the eye to the brain — becomes damaged, often because the pressure inside the eye is too high. The most common type is chronic open-angle glaucoma, which is silent: it develops slowly and painlessly, gradually eroding peripheral (side) vision before the centre is affected, so many people do not notice until significant, permanent sight has been lost. This is why routine eye tests, which can pick it up early, matter so much. Because the sight already lost cannot be recovered, the whole aim of treatment is to protect the vision that remains. A separate, far less common type — acute angle-closure glaucoma — comes on suddenly and is a medical emergency.

How it is treated

Treatment works by lowering the pressure inside the eye to stop further damage to the optic nerve. For chronic open-angle glaucoma this is most often done with eye drops, which are the mainstay and are usually used every day, long-term. Different types of drop lower pressure in different ways — for example prostaglandin analogues, beta-blocker drops and other classes — and more than one type may be combined. Because the condition is silent, sticking to the drops every day and using the correct technique are central to preventing irreversible sight loss. Laser treatment and surgery are options when drops are not enough or not tolerated, and are sometimes offered earlier. Acetazolamide, a tablet or injection, lowers eye pressure and is used short-term or when drops are not enough, including in the emergency setting.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Glaucoma

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Glaucoma eye drops Ophthalmology The mainstay of treatment; they lower the pressure inside the eye — types include prostaglandin analogues, beta-blocker drops and others. Acetazolamide Ophthalmology A tablet or injection that lowers eye pressure, used short-term or when drops are not enough, including in emergencies.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Glaucoma

Glaucoma can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

Blurred visionVision that is not as sharp or clear as usual, in one or both eyes, from a range of eye an…Eye painPain in or around the eye — often from a surface irritation, infection or dryness, but som…Sensitivity to lightDiscomfort or pain in the eyes when exposed to light — most often part of a migraine or an…

By active ingredient

Specific medicines used for Glaucoma

Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in glaucoma — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:

LatanoprostA first-line once-daily eye drop for glaucoma that lowers the pressure inside the eye; it …TimololA beta-blocker eye drop that lowers the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma; even as a dro…BrimonidineAn alpha-agonist eye drop used to lower raised pressure in the eye in glaucoma; it can cau…DorzolamideA carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop used to lower raised pressure in the eye in glauco…TravoprostA once-daily prostaglandin eye drop used in the evening to lower eye pressure in glaucoma;…BimatoprostA once-daily prostaglandin eye drop that lowers the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma; u…BrinzolamideA carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop that lowers the pressure inside the eye by reducin…PilocarpineAn eye drop used to lower pressure in the eye in glaucoma, with tablets also used to treat…CarteololA beta-blocker eye drop that lowers the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and raised eye…ApraclonidineAn alpha-agonist eye drop used mainly short-term to control eye pressure, often around las…TafluprostA once-daily eye drop that lowers pressure inside the eye in glaucoma, available preservat…LevobunololA beta-blocker eye drop that lowers pressure inside the eye in glaucoma, used once or twic…MethazolamideA carbonic-anhydrase-inhibitor tablet used to lower the pressure inside the eye in glaucom…BetaxololA beta-blocker used as eye drops for glaucoma and as tablets for high blood pressure.…Latanoprostene bunodA once-daily eye drop that lowers raised pressure inside the eye to protect against glauco…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Attending regular eye tests and monitoring appointments, using drops exactly as prescribed and learning good drop technique, and telling your optometrist about any family history of glaucoma all help protect sight, as glaucoma can run in families.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

A sudden painful red eye with blurred vision, halos around lights, headache and feeling sick or vomiting may be acute angle-closure glaucoma — a medical emergency that needs same-day eye care; seek urgent help, call 111, or go to A&E. For chronic glaucoma, attend your regular monitoring appointments and tell your eye team if you notice any change in your vision.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Glaucoma: frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for glaucoma?

Eye drops that lower the pressure inside the eye are the mainstay, and there are several types — such as prostaglandin analogues, beta-blocker drops and other classes — sometimes combined. Acetazolamide, given as a tablet or injection, is used short-term or when drops are not enough, including in emergencies. Laser treatment and surgery are also options.

Are glaucoma eye drops completely safe?

They are generally well tolerated, but eye drops are absorbed into the body as well as acting locally, so they can occasionally cause effects beyond the eye. Beta-blocker drops in particular are usually avoided in people with asthma, certain breathing problems or a slow or irregular heartbeat, because the absorbed medicine can affect the lungs and heart. Tell your eye team about your other conditions and medicines so they choose the safest drop for you, and ask about gently closing the eye or pressing the inner corner after drops to reduce absorption.

Why do I have to use my drops every day if my eyes feel fine?

Chronic glaucoma is silent — it causes no pain and you may not notice the gradual loss of side vision until a lot has gone, and that loss cannot be recovered. The daily drops lower the pressure that damages the optic nerve. Using them consistently, even though your eyes feel normal, is what protects your remaining sight.

Can glaucoma be cured?

Glaucoma cannot be cured and sight already lost cannot be restored, but treatment can usually halt or slow further damage and protect the vision you still have. That is why early detection through eye tests and sticking with treatment are so important.

What is acute angle-closure glaucoma?

It is a far less common but sudden form in which eye pressure rises sharply, causing a painful red eye, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache and vomiting. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate eye care to save sight — seek urgent help, call 111, or go to A&E.

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE NG81: Glaucoma: diagnosis and management.
  • NICE CKS: Glaucoma.

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