Eye medications are used to diagnose, treat and prevent eye diseases. Most eye medicines need a prescription. However, artificial tears (to lubricate the eye) and ocular decongestants (to decrease redness) are available as over-the-counter eye drops.
Eye drops and ointments (salves) are the most common ways to medicate the eye. Other routes of administration are oral (tablets, capsules, liquids), intravenous and local injections (“shots” around the eye).
The most common therapeutic uses for eye medications include glaucoma, eye infections, allergy and inflammation (redness) of the eye. Eye drops are also used for diagnostic purposes to dilate (enlarge) the pupils or to dye the ocular surface for eye examinations. Additionally, there are anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye. These are used for some diagnostic tests or for removing foreign objects from the cornea (the clear protective outer coat of the eye).
Acular
This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent used to treat itchy eyes and swelling caused by seasonal allergies. It also may be used to relieve eye swelling following cataract surgery.
Alphagan P
Ophthalmic brimonidine is used to lower pressure in the eyes in patients who have glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes that may damage nerves and cause vision loss) and ocular hypertension (pressure in the eyes that is higher than normal but not high enough to cause vision loss). Brimonidine is in a class of drugs called alpha adrenergic agonists. Brimonidine works by decreasing the amount of fluid in the eyes.
Betoptic
Betoptic-S is a beta blocker used to treat glaucoma. Betoptic-S may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Cosopt
Cosopt is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and beta-blocker combination used in the eye to lower high eye pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Lumigan
Lumigan is a synthetic prostaglandin used to treat glaucoma unresponsive to other medicines.
Pataday
Olopatadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergic pink eye. Olopatadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
Patanol
Olopatadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergic pink eye. Olopatadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
Tobrex
Tobrex is an antibiotic used to treat eye infections.
Xalatan
Xalatan is a prostaglandin used to treat glaucoma. Xalatan may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
