Open-Angle Glaucoma

2 medicines

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, a slow, usually painless rise in eye pressure that damages the optic nerve before symptoms appear. Eye drops that lower pressure are the standard first treatment.

Cosopt

Dorzolamide, Timolol

2/0.5%

Cosopt is a eye care medication containing Dorzolamide + Timolol, available as 2/0.5% bottles.

from $46.18 / bottle View

Timoptic

Timolol

0.5%

Timoptic is a eye care medication containing Timolol, available as 0.5% bottles.

from $7.08 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. Fluid builds up inside the eye, raising intraocular pressure and slowly damaging the optic nerve.
  • The process is almost always painless and symptom-free in its early stages, so vision loss can be well advanced before it is noticed.
  • Peripheral vision fades first, which is why routine eye pressure checks matter, particularly after age 40 or with a family history of glaucoma.
  • Eye drops that reduce fluid production or improve drainage, such as timolol and dorzolamide, are the standard first treatment.

Why early detection matters

Because peripheral vision fades before central vision, most people with open-angle glaucoma do not notice anything wrong until the condition is well advanced. By the time blurred edges or tunnel vision become obvious, a meaningful share of nerve fibres has already been lost, and damage already done cannot be reversed. This makes routine eye pressure checks important, particularly for anyone over 40 or with a family history of glaucoma.

Reducing eye pressure

Lowering intraocular pressure is the cornerstone of treatment and can substantially slow or halt further nerve damage. Eye drops that reduce fluid production or improve drainage are the standard first approach. Timolol is a beta-blocker that decreases production of the fluid inside the eye, while dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that works through a separate pathway; the two are often combined for additive effect. Both fall within the broader eye care range.

When treatment needs to step up

If eye pressure remains difficult to control with drops alone, or the disease keeps progressing, laser treatment or a surgical drainage procedure may be considered by a specialist. Sticking to drops exactly as prescribed matters, since pressure can climb again quietly with no symptoms to warn of it.

When to seek urgent review

Sudden severe eye pain, haloes around lights, blurred vision or nausea need urgent assessment, since these can signal acute angle-closure glaucoma, a different and more immediately dangerous condition that needs same-day care.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.