Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
Glaucoma medication during pregnancy and nursing
G Coppens1, I Stalmans, T Zeyen
1UZ Leuven.
Risks that glaucoma medications pose to the fetus and neonate must be balanced against the risk of vision loss in the mother. There is no high level evidence for harmful effects on the fetus and neonate of medications used to treat glaucoma. All topical and systemic glaucoma medication should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. Systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, topical prostaglandin analogues and antimetabolites during surgery should be avoided absolutely. Some topical medications are deemed compatible with lactation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, however, caution should still be practiced.
Risks that glaucoma medications pose to the fetus and neonate must be balanced against the risk of vision loss in the mother. There is no high level evidence for harmful effects on the fetus and neonate of medications used to treat glaucoma. All topical and systemic glaucoma medication should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. Systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, topical prostaglandin analogues and antimetabolites during surgery should be avoided absolutely. Some topical medications are deemed compatible with lactation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, however, caution should still be practiced.
Related Concept Videos
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Glaucoma: Overview
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways