Opthalmic β-Adrenoreceptor Antagonists

For the treatment of glaucoma

β-Adrenoreceptor Antagonists administered topically can reduce IOP by decreasing aqueous humor production. Beta-blockers antagonize the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters by inhibiting β₁ and β₂ receptors; however their mechanistic action in glaucoma is unclear. Examples include timolol, betaxolol, carteolol, and levobunolol. Adverse effects, when systemically absorbed can include bradycardia, hypotension, headache, decreased exercise tolerance, and bronchospasm but these systemic effects are rare.