Which agent is an alpha agonist used to lower intraocular pressure?

Which agent is an alpha agonist used to lower intraocular pressure?

• A. Brimonidine 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%
• B. Timolol 0.5%
• C. Dorzolamide
• D. Latanoprost

Answer: (A)

Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It lowers intraocular pressure mainly by reducing the production of aqueous humor in the ciliary body, and it can also modestly increase outflow through the uveoscleral pathway. Among the options, it is the one that acts as an alpha agonist. Timolol is a beta-blocker that lowers IOP by decreasing aqueous production, dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces production, and latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that increases outflow. So brimonidine is the alpha agonist used to lower IOP.

Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It lowers intraocular pressure mainly by reducing the production of aqueous humor in the ciliary body, and it can also modestly increase outflow through the uveoscleral pathway. Among the options, it is the one that acts as an alpha agonist. Timolol is a beta-blocker that lowers IOP by decreasing aqueous production, dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces production, and latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that increases outflow. So brimonidine is the alpha agonist used to lower IOP.