Timolol eye drops for glaucoma

About timolol eye drops

In chronic open-angle glaucoma there is damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. It is usually caused by an increase in pressure within your eye. Timolol eye drops work by lowering the pressure in your eye. It is thought they do this by reducing the amount of fluid that you make that fills the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour). By reducing the amount of fluid produced, it reduces the pressure within your eye.

Timolol can be used alone or in combination with other treatments for glaucoma, such as bimatoprost, latanoprost, travoprost, tafluprost, brinzolamide, dorzolamide, or brimonidine. Please refer to the individual leaflets which are available for each of these treatments for more information.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have asthma or any other breathing problems.

• If you have a heart condition.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have Raynaud's syndrome or low blood pressure.

• If you are being treated for thyroid problems or diabetes.

• If you wear soft contact lenses.

• If you know you have a problem with the surface of your eye (the cornea), or if you have a condition called dry eye.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have any allergies. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have had a bad reaction to any eye drops.

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the eye drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using them.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected. Some timolol eye drops should be put in twice a day; others should be used once a day only. Your doctor will tell you which is right for you and this will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said. Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses.

• If you do forget to use the drops, put them in as soon as you remember, but do not 'double up' to make up for any missed doses.

1. Wash your hands well before you use the drops. Shake the container.

2. Remove the cap (or flip off the tip of the unit if you are using a single-dose unit).

3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

4. Hold the bottle or single-dose unit upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

5. Press lightly to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Close your eye for a minute or two, and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes. The contents of one single-dose unit are enough for both eyes.

8. Replace the cap (or if you are using a single-dose unit, throw it away).

• Take care not to touch the tip of the dropper with your eye, fingers, or any other surface. This is to prevent the drops from becoming contaminated.

• If you are using any other eye drops, leave 5-10 minutes between applying each one. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and not have the intended effect.

• When first put in, eye drops can make your eyes water and may sometimes cause blurred vision. If this happens, it should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive, or before you use tools or machines.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses if you are using eye drops from a bottle unless your doctor has advised that you can do so. This is because there is a preservative in bottles of eye drops which can affect some soft contact lenses. You may wear soft contact lenses while you are using single-dose drops as there is no preservative in these (but remember to take out your lenses to apply the drops and wait for at least 15 minutes before putting lenses back in).

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor and eye clinic, so that your progress can be checked.

• If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are using timolol eye drops. This is because the drops could interfere with some medicines used during surgery.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with timolol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience the following, contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Any difficulties breathing, such as wheezing or shortness of breath.

• An allergic-type reaction, such as any swelling around your face.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

• Always check the expiry information on the container. Eye drops in bottles only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.

• Single-dose units should be used immediately the unit is opened. Do not store or re-use opened units for later doses. This is because single-dose units do not contain any preservative.