Antiglaucoma agents
Eye drops that lower intraocular pressure to protect the optic nerve: prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, alpha-2 agonists and others.
What they are
Drugs that lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Each group acts on a different step of aqueous humour: making less of it or draining more of it.
Mechanism of action
Prostaglandin analogues (latanoprost) increase uveoscleral outflow. Beta-blockers (timolol) and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide) reduce aqueous production by the ciliary body. Alpha-2 agonists (brimonidine) do both. Cholinergic miotics (pilocarpine) open the trabecular meshwork by contracting the ciliary muscle.
Target: Aqueous humour production (ciliary body) and outflow (uveoscleral and trabecular)
Drugs in this class
- LatanoprostA prostaglandin eye drop that lowers eye pressure by helping fluid drain out of the eye. A first-choice drug for…Prostaglandin F2α receptor (FP)
- TimololA non-selective beta-blocker eye drop that lowers eye pressure. Enough reaches the blood to slow the heart and narrow…β1 and β2 adrenergic receptors
- BrimonidineAn alpha-2 agonist eye drop that lowers eye pressure two ways. It must never be used in babies under 2: it can stop…α2A adrenergic receptor
- DorzolamideA carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop that lowers eye pressure by making less fluid. A sulfonamide, with a typical…Carbonic anhydrase II
- BimatoprostA prostaglandin-like eye drop that lowers eye pressure in glaucoma by draining more fluid. It can darken the iris and…Prostaglandin F (FP) receptor / prostamide receptors of the outflow pathways
- BrinzolamideA carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop that makes less aqueous humour and so lowers eye pressure. It is a sulfonamide…Carbonic anhydrase II of the ciliary processes
- BetaxololA β1-selective beta-blocker eye drop for glaucoma. It affects the airways less than timolol, but can still slow the…β1 adrenergic receptor (cardioselective)
- ApraclonidineAn alpha-2 agonist eye drop for short-term extra pressure lowering in glaucoma, for example around laser surgery. Its…α2 adrenergic receptors of the ciliary body
- NetarsudilA Rho kinase inhibitor eye drop that opens the eye's main drain (trabecular meshwork) to lower pressure in glaucoma…Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2)
Others in the class
- Bimatoprost, travoprost
- Betaxolol
- Brinzolamide
- Apraclonidine
- Netarsudil
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which antiglaucoma group increases uveoscleral outflow?
Prostaglandin analogues such as latanoprost.
Which two groups mainly reduce aqueous humour production?
Beta-blockers (timolol) and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide).
Which antiglaucoma drop is dangerous in a patient with asthma?
Timolol, a non-selective beta-blocker.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: DailyMed - LATANOPROST solution/ drops (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2024); DailyMed - TIMOLOL MALEATE OPHTHALMIC GEL FORMING SOLUTION solution, gel forming / drops (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); DailyMed - BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE- brimonidine tartrate solution/ drops (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); DailyMed - DORZOLAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION- dorzolamide hydrochloride solution/ drops (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.