GLAUCOMA THERAPY MAY TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY

Chronic simple glaucoma is a common disease in old age and lowering in traocular pressure is the treatment strategy. Although this can be ach ieved surgically, medical treatment with eye drops is more often presc ribed. beta-antagonists are the class of drug most often chosen, altho ugh other medical therapies are available. Systemic absorption of beta -antagonist eye drops can cause unsuspected respiratory impairment. Ph ysicians should be alert to the possibility of respiratory side-effect s of topical therapy with beta-antagonists and whenever such side-effe cts occur should use alternative treatments.