Latim Eye Drop (Latanoprost, Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution)

Latim Eye Drop (Latanoprost, Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution) work

Latim eye drops contain two active ingredients, latanoprost and timolol maleate. These are both medicines that decrease raised pressure within the eye. They work in different ways to produce a combined effect greater than either medicine produces on its own. The pressure within the eyeball is naturally maintained by a continuous flow of liquid called aqueous humour through the eyeball. Aqueous humour is produced by a part of the eye called the ciliary body. It drains out of the eyeball through channels called the trabecular meshwork. If the outflow of aqueous humour is blocked, the aqueous humour builds up inside the eye, increasing the pressure within the eyeball. This pressure needs to be reduced, as otherwise it can damage the optic nerve and impair vision as a result. Latanoprost is a type of medicine called a prostaglandin analogue. It reduces the pressure in the eye by mimicking the action of a naturally-occuring prostaglandin. Prostaglandins are a group of natural body chemicals found in many places in the body. In the eye, they increase the drainage of the aqueous humour out of the eyeball. Latanoprost is a synthetic prostaglandin that acts on the same receptors in the eye as the natural prostaglandins. It therefore causes an increase in the drainage of aqueous humour out of the eyeball. This decreases the pressure within the eye. Timolol is a type of medicine called a beta-blocker. These medicines block beta-receptors in various parts of the body. Blocking the beta receptors in the eye reduces the amount of aqueous humour that is produced. Timolol therefore reduces the inflow of aqueous humour into the eyeball and so decreases the pressure within the eye in a different way.

The combination of these two medicines is used to lower the pressure in the eye when a beta-blocker or a prostaglandin analogue eye drop does not lower the pressure enough on its own.

The eye drops should be put into the affected eye(s) once a day. The medicine is most effective if the drops are applied in the evening. You should not exceed the recommended dose, as using the drops more frequently than this can actually decrease their effect.