Glaucoma currently ranks first among the causes of irreversible blindness and low vision. Stabilization of the glaucomatous process, especially at its initial stages, can be achieved by using drug therapy to affect the proven risk factor — the level of intraocular pressure. Taking into account the elderly and senile age of patients with glaucoma and the presence of comorbid somatic pathologies, most common being cardiovascular system diseases, the issues of interaction between local and systemic therapy in this group of patients become especially relevant. This article reviews the role of β-blockers, which are often prescribed by both ophthalmologists and therapeutic specialists, the features of their use and interaction, the decrease in intraocular pressure provided by systemic therapy, their bioavailability, and the possible undesirable side effects as a result of mixed delivery. Raising the awareness among ophthalmologists, cardiologists and general practitioners on the potential problems of co-prescribing should encourage more careful approach to reviewing patients’ history of previously prescribed topical and systemic β-blockers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.