Medical Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that exhibit a characteristic optic neuropathy which, untreated, initially causes loss of peripheral and ultimately central vision. It is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and is estimated to affect over three million people in the United States. Although vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible, blindness can typically be prevented when it is detected and treated in its earlier stages. A number of different medication classes are currently in use to treat glaucoma, including prostaglandin analogues, B-adrenergic antagonists, adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, parasympathomimetics, and hyperosmotic agents. In general, these medications reduce IOP either by reducing aqueous humor secretion from the ciliary body or by increasing aqueous outflow from the eye.