Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) reduce eye pressure by decreasing the production of intraocular fluid. These are available as eye drops as well as pills. If you need to use more than one type of eyedrop, you may need to take each medicine in a certain order as prescribed by Dr. Pacuraru. If you are using more than one type of eyedrop, wait 5 minutes between eyedrop medicines. The pill form is an alternative for people whose glaucoma is not controlled by medication eye drops.

Side effects of the pill form of these medications can include tingling or loss of strength of the hands and feet, upset stomach, mental fuzziness, memory problems, depression, kidney stones, and frequent urination. Since the eye drop form of this medication is relatively new, long-term studies are yet to be completed. Side effects of the eye drop include (but are not limited to) stinging, burning, and other eye discomfort.