[Glaucoma: pharmacological implications]. / Glaucoma: implicaciones farmacológicas.

Glaucoma is the first cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Its prevalence in our country is 2%; half of patients remain undiagnosed. Certain drugs can trigger and/or exacerbate glaucoma; hence the importance of having knowledge of these drugs by Primary Care physician. In addition, the drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma, even topically, can have systemic side effects that should be also know to the Primary Care physician. An adequate knowledge of all the drug groups and the prescribing of the appropriate drug in patients with risk factors and underlying pathology, will enable the Primary Care physician to optimise the risk/benefit ratio in the therapeutic management of these patients. An update is presented on this ophthalmological disease, with special attention to its implications for pharmacological treatments.

Glaucoma: implicaciones farmacológicas / Glaucoma: pharmacological implications

El adecuado conocimiento de todos estos grupos farmacológicos y su correcta prescripción en pacientes con factores de riesgo y enfermedad de base, permitirá al médico de atención primaria una optimización de la relación riesgo/beneficio en el manejo terapéutico de este tipo de pacientes. Se efectúa una actualización de esta enfermedad oftalmológica, con especial atención a sus implicaciones con los tratamientos farmacológicos. El glaucoma es la primera causa mundial de ceguera irreversible. Su prevalencia en nuestro medio es del 2%; la mitad de los pacientes permanecen sin diagnóstico. Determinados fármacos pueden desencadenar o exacerbar el glaucoma, de ahí la importancia del conocimiento de estos fármacos por parte del médico de atención primaria. Además, los fármacos empleados en el tratamiento del glaucoma, incluso por vía tópica, pueden tener efectos secundarios sistémicos que también debe conocer el médico de atención primaria (AU)

An adequate knowledge of all the drug groups and the prescribing of the appropriate drug in patients with risk factors and underlying pathology, will enable the Primary Care physician to optimise the risk/benefit ratio in the therapeutic management of these patients. An update is presented on this ophthalmological disease, with special attention to its implications for pharmacological treatments. Glaucoma is the first cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Its prevalence in our country is 2%; half of patients remain undiagnosed. Certain drugs can trigger and/or exacerbate glaucoma; hence the importance of having knowledge of these drugs by Primary Care physician. In addition, the drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma, even topically, can have systemic side effects that should be also know to the Primary Care physician (AU)