title: Primary drug treatment for glaucoma: beta-blockers versus other medications.
abstract: This set of Viewpoints articles examines the merits of beta-blockers versus other medications as the primary drug treatment for glaucoma. Ophthalmologists must balance issues such as efficacy, compliance, cost, and side effects when deciding on the appropriate medication to prescribe. Dr. Stamper stresses the advantages of tailoring the choice of medication to the needs of the individual patient. Drs. Wigginton and Higginbotham review the benefits of beta-blockers and present some of the disadvantages of the non-beta-blocker class of medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stamper
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wigginton
authors.forename: Eve J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Higginbotham
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016527:Drug Costs; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011453:Prostaglandins