Hyperosmotics for glaucoma

Hyperosmotics for glaucoma
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Osmoglyn	glycerin (glycerol)

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Osmitrol	mannitol

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Ureaphil	urea

These medications are used in liquid form or given through a needle into a vein (intravenous).

How It Works

Hyperosmotics draw water out of the fluid (aqueous humor) inside the eyes, decreasing the amount of fluid inside the eyes.

Why It Is Used

Hyperosmotics are usually used in emergencies to rapidly reduce pressure in the eyes, most often during episodes of closed-angle glaucoma. These medications can also be used to lower the pressure in the eyes before or after glaucoma surgery.

How Well It Works

These medications dry out the eye by changing the chemical balance in the bloodstream, causing water to be drawn out of the eye. Decreasing the fluid in the eye results in decreased pressure in the eye. However, this effect does not last long.

Side Effects

Possible serious side effects of hyperosmotic medications include:

Heart failure.
Bleeding within the brain.
Impaired kidney function.

Less serious side effects include:

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Headache.
Confusion.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Glycerin by mouth should be used cautiously in people who have diabetes because it can raise blood sugar levels.

These medications are not used for long-term treatment of glaucoma. They are used in emergency situations when pressure in the eyes needs to be reduced rapidly. Because these medications have serious side effects, people are monitored closely while they are being treated with these medications.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Last Updated	July 7, 2006

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Last updated:	July 07, 2006
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW, Pat Truman

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