[Drug therapy of glaucoma].

In the present review an update on the medical therapy of open-angle glaucoma is given. Antiglaucomatous drugs that are rarely or no longer indicated are briefly discussed, as are the current medical therapy and perspectives of the medical management of glaucoma. In light of the pharmacological profiles of current antiglaucomatous agents, irreversible cholinesterase inhibitors, are out of date, and higher concentrations of clonidine eye drops and aqueous preparations of epinephrine-hydrocloride are also old-fashioned. The spectrum of current antiglaucomatous drugs is outlined and perspectives are indicated that will enrich our antiglaucomatous drug armamentarium in the near future. In this respect the development of pro-drugs and, new designs in the pharmaceutical preparation of traditional drugs are emphasized. In the field of new agents special emphasis is placed on topically applicable carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, the selective alpha-2-agonist apraclonidine and IOP-lowering prostaglandin derivatives. A series of agents is presented that are still experimental.