Timolol eye drops belong to a group of medicines called beta blockers.
They're used to treat glaucoma and high pressure inside the eye.
Increased pressure inside your eye can damage your optic nerve. This can cause vision loss or blindness. Timolol eye drops lower the pressure in your eye by reducing the build-up of fluid.
They come in eye drop bottles, which may have a preservative in them, or in single-dose droppers that are preservative-free.
Timolol is only available on prescription.
Timolol eye drops are sometimes combined with another medicine to make a combination eye drop. Ganfort is a brand of eye drops that contain both timolol and bimatoprost.
Timolol also comes as tablets that are used for high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain caused by angina and to prevent migraines.
Key facts
- You'll usually use timolol eye drops once or twice a day.
- Timolol eye drops usually start to reduce the pressure in your eye about 30 minutes after using them, although it may take up to 1 to 2 hours for the full effect. The reduced pressure will last for at least 24 hours.
- Side effects of timolol eye drops can include eye pain, irritation or discomfort, swollen eyelids, eye infection or more sensitivity to light.
- If the drops make you feel dizzy or affect your vision, do not drive or cycle until you feel better and can see normally again.
- If you wear contact lenses, you’ll need to remove them before using timolol eye drops and wait for 15 minutes before putting them back in.