- 1. Adrenergic agonists
- 2. Beta-blockers
- 3. Prostaglandin analogues
- 4. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
- 5. Cholinergic agonists
- 6. Combined formulas
- How to use correctly
- Food to assist in treatment
- Physical activity fights high blood pressure in the eyes
Glaucoma eye drops have the function of reducing blood pressure in the eyes, and are generally used for life to control the disease and prevent its main complication, which is blindness.
However, despite helping to control the disease, eye drops can also cause several side effects such as headache, drowsiness and itching, but it is important to continue to use the medicine correctly until you talk to the ophthalmologist, to assess whether it is possible to make changes in treatment.
There are several types of eye medications that can be used according to the health characteristics of each person, such as the presence of asthma, allergies, heart problems or bronchitis:
1. Adrenergic agonists
These eye drops act by decreasing the production of aqueous humor and, at a later stage, lead to increased drainage of aqueous humor, which leads to a reduction in intraocular pressure. The example of an adrenergic agonist medication is brimonidine (Alphagan).
Side effects: headache, dry mouth, tiredness, redness, burning and stinging in the eyes, blurred vision, foreign body sensation in the eyes, folliculosis, allergic eye reactions and itchy eyes
2. Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers work by reducing intraocular pressure, and an example is timolol (Timoneo).
Side effects: Corneal anesthesia, blurred vision, decreased blood pressure, reduced heart rate and fatigue. In people with a history of asthma, it can also cause mild shortness of breath.
3. Prostaglandin analogues
They work by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor, which helps to decrease intraocular pressure. Some examples of this type of remedy are bimatoprost (Lumigan), latanoprost (Xalatan), travoprost (Travatan).
Side effects: Burning, blurred vision, redness in the eyes, itching and burning.
4. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
These remedies act by inhibiting the secretion of aqueous humor, by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase, thus reducing intraocular pressure. Some examples of these drugs are dorzolamide and brinzolamide (Azopt).
Side effects: Burning, burning and turbidity in the eyes.
5. Cholinergic agonists
They act by decreasing the resistance to the passage of aqueous humor, which leads to a reduction in intraocular pressure. The example of a cholinergic agonist eye drop is pilocarpine, for example.
Side effects: Ciliary spasm, eye irritation, conjunctival vascular congestion, head and eye pain, ocular hyperemia, reduced vision in poor lighting and myopia induction, especially in young people.
6. Combined formulas
They are medicines that use more than one type of active ingredient, and some examples are Cosopt, Combigan or Simbrinza, for example.
How to use correctly
To improve the effectiveness of the medication, you must shake the drops before use and drip 1 drop at a time at the bottom of the eye, in the red bag that is formed when pulling the lower eyelid down. Avoid touching the tip of the bottle to the eye.
The ideal is to be lying down during the application, and after dripping the drop one should close the eye and press the corner next to the nose, as this causes the medication to be absorbed in the place, reducing the side effects that occur when it passes to the bloodstream.
If the drop falls out of the eye, it should be dripped again, remembering also to make at least 5 minutes interval between the application of different eye drops.
Food to assist in treatment
To help control the disease, a balanced diet should be maintained, rich in antioxidant foods and with important nutrients for the eyes, such as vitamins A, C and E, and minerals, such as zinc and selenium.
These nutrients are present mainly in foods such as orange, pineapple, carrot, acerola, pumpkin, strawberry, goji berry and raspberry. In addition, by improving circulation and having antioxidant action, cranberries also help to improve night vision and eye brightness, and can be used to relieve the symptoms of glaucoma.
It is also important to avoid consuming foods rich in sugar and large amounts of salt and caffeine, as they lead to increased blood pressure and pressure in the eye.
Physical activity fights high blood pressure in the eyes
Frequent physical activity helps to reduce pressure in the eye and control risk factors for glaucoma, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Thus, it is recommended to exercise like walking or cycling for at least 40 minutes, 4 times a week.
In addition, it is important to avoid exercises in positions that leave the body upside down, as in yoga or pilates classes, for example, as this can increase pressure in the head and eye, requiring medical authorization before practicing. this type of physical activity.
See other types of treatment for glaucoma.
Also watch the following video and better understand what it is and how to identify glaucoma:
