Bimatoprost + Timolol Combination Drops

This is a fixed-dose combination used for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension when one medication alone isn’t enough to lower eye pressure.

Components and Their Roles

1. Bimatoprost

   • Type: Prostaglandin analog

   • Action: Increases the outflow of aqueous humor (fluid in the eye), which lowers intraocular pressure (IOP).

2. Timolol

   • Type: Non-selective beta-blocker

   • Action: Reduces the production of aqueous humor, which also helps lower IOP.

By combining both actions — increasing outflow and reducing production — this drop provides a stronger and more consistent reduction in eye pressure.

Common Uses

• Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma – the most common type of glaucoma.

• Ocular Hypertension – high eye pressure that could damage the optic nerve if untreated.

• Typically prescribed when a single medication isn’t lowering IOP enough.

Advantages

• More effective at lowering eye pressure than using either drug alone.

• Convenient — only one bottle, usually once daily dosing.

• Helps improve treatment compliance for patients who need combination therapy.

Possible Side Effects

Eye-related:

• Redness

• Mild irritation, burning, or itching

• Eyelash growth or darkening of eyelids (from bimatoprost)

• Slight change in eye color over time (especially in light-colored eyes)

Body-related (from timolol):

• Slow heart rate

• Low blood pressure

• Fatigue

• Worsening of asthma or breathing problems (rare but possible)

Precautions

• Use with care if you have asthma, chronic lung disease, very slow heart rate, or certain heart conditions.

• Apply exactly as directed (usually once at night).

• After applying, gently press the inner corner of the eye for 1–2 minutes to reduce absorption into the bloodstream and lower risk of systemic side effects.

• If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before applying them.