Glaucoma therapy may take your breath away.
Chronic simple glaucoma is a common disease in old age and lowering intraocular pressure is the treatment strategy. Although this can be achieved surgically, medical treatment with eye drops is more often prescribed. Beta-antagonists are the class of drug most often chosen, although other medical therapies are available. Systemic absorption of beta-antagonist eye drops can cause unsuspected respiratory impairment. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of respiratory side-effects of topical therapy with beta-antagonists and whenever such side-effects occur should use alternative treatments.
Diggory
P
P
Department of Elderly Care Medicine, Mayday Hospital, Croydon, UK.
Franks
W A
WA
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions