How does timolol work to relieve glaucoma?

• A. It reduces systemic blood pressure.
• B. It reduces intraocular pressure through antiinflammatory action.
• C. It reduces production of aqueous humor in the eye.
• D. It acts like a diuretic, eliminating fluid from the body.

Answer: (C)

Timolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist that is primarily used to treat elevated intraocular pressure in conditions like glaucoma. Its mechanism of action involves reducing the production of aqueous humor, the fluid within the eye that helps maintain intraocular pressure. By inhibiting the beta receptors in the ciliary body, where aqueous humor is produced, timolol effectively lowers the overall fluid production, leading to a decrease in intraocular pressure. This is crucial in managing glaucoma, as elevated pressures can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

While other options mention systemic effects or different mechanisms of action, they do not correlate with the primary use of timolol in glaucoma treatment. Timolol's specific action on aqueous humor production is what makes it effective for this purpose.