How do beta blockers work?
Beta blocker (beta andrenergic antagonists) medications are reliable for lowering intraocular pressure. They work by decreasing the amount of fluid that the eye continually produces, called the aqueous humor. For many years, beta blockers were the mainstay of treatment. Hence, we have a lot of experience with this medication for the treatment of glaucoma. Types of Beta Blocker Medication There are two general classes of beta blockers: nonselective and selective. Nonselective beta blockers have more effects on the body’s beta receptors system-wide, and are associated with more side effects. The nonselective beta-blockers are also more effective at lowering intraocular pressure. The nonselective beta blockers include: • Levobunolol (Betagan) • Timolol hemihydrate (Betimol) • Carteolol (Ocupress) • Metipranolol (Optipranolol) • Timolol maleate (Timoptic) and Timolol maleate gel (Timoptic XE) (Generic versions of Timolol are now available. Check with Dr. Najafi-Tagol to make sure that a ge
