Bradycardia From a Non-selective Beta-Adrenergic Antagonist, Timolol, Applied Ophthalmologically for Glaucoma

Non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonists are used systemically to treat hypertension and tachycardia and are used ophthalmologically for glaucoma. Generally, ophthalmological medications don't have systemic effects, as they are applied specifically to a local area. In this case, however, it appears that timolol, a beta-blocker, had systemic effects on heart rate. This is something that prescribing physicians must be wary of when evaluating patients with glaucoma who have cardiovascular comorbidities. Additionally, patients should be informed of the importance of occluding the puncta when receiving eye treatments to lessen the risk of systemic effects.