How will glaucoma medications affect my baby?

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It is important to realize that any glaucoma medication may affect the fetus. Unfortunately, there is very little human data on the use of glaucoma eye drop medications during pregnancy. For most of these medications, risk cannot be ruled out. Again, it is important to discuss your glaucoma treatments with your health care team.

When using eye drops, you can minimize the absorption of the medication into your bloodstream by gently pressing on the inside corner of the eye. Glaucoma medications, like many medications, are systemic, which means that they not only affect your eyes, but can travel through the rest of your body as well. By practicing this technique, you minimize the amount of medication that could cross the placenta or get into your breast milk.

Here is the link to our information for putting in eye drops:
http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/eyedrop_tips_1.php
http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/eyedrop_techniq.php
http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/eyedrop_techniq_1.php

Posted on March 31, 2009 4:22 PM