Medication library
Medications
Patient information about medications commonly prescribed for neuro-ophthalmology conditions. Each guide covers how the medication works, dosing, and potential side effects.
53 medication guides reviewed by ophthalmology clinicians
Related: Conditions treated • Other treatments
Corticosteroids
Powerful anti-inflammatory medications used to treat many eye and neurological conditions by suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response.
Eysuvis (Loteprednol 0.25%)
A low-dose steroid eye drop specifically approved for short-term treatment of dry eye disease flares.
Loteprednol (Lotemax, Eysuvis)
A 'soft' steroid eye drop for treating eye inflammation with lower risk of pressure elevation than traditional steroids.
Methylprednisolone (IV Steroids)
High-dose intravenous corticosteroid used for acute inflammatory conditions affecting vision.
Prednisone (Oral Steroids)
A corticosteroid medication used to reduce inflammation in many neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
Eculizumab (Soliris)
A complement-blocking biologic FDA-approved for AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD; carries an FDA Boxed Warning for meningococcal infection and requires vaccination before treatment.
Rituximab (Rituxan)
A biologic medication that depletes B cells, used for neuromyelitis optica (NMO), MOG antibody disease, and myasthenia gravis - especially MuSK-antibody-positive MG.
Teprotumumab (Tepezza)
The first FDA-approved medication specifically for thyroid eye disease, targeting IGF-1 receptor.
Tocilizumab (Actemra)
An IL-6 inhibitor used for giant cell arteritis and neuromyelitis optica.
Azathioprine (Imuran)
A steroid-sparing immunosuppressant for autoimmune eye disease; carries an FDA Boxed Warning for malignancy. Many prescribers test TPMT and NUDT15 before starting to flag patients at high risk of severe myelosuppression.
Methotrexate
A weekly steroid-sparing immunosuppressant for inflammatory and autoimmune eye disease; carries FDA Boxed Warnings and is dosed once weekly - never daily.
Mycophenolate (CellCept/Myfortic)
An immunosuppressant medication used for autoimmune conditions, often as a steroid-sparing agent.
Cequa (Cyclosporine 0.09%)
Prescription eye drops for dry eye disease with higher concentration cyclosporine using nanomicellar technology.
Cyclosporine Eye Drops
Prescription immunomodulator eye drops that reduce inflammation and increase tear production in dry eye disease. Available as Restasis, Cequa, and generic.
Restasis (Cyclosporine 0.05%)
Prescription eye drops that increase tear production in patients with dry eye disease.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
An anticonvulsant for superior oblique myokymia and trigeminal neuralgia; carries an FDA Boxed Warning and requires HLA-B*1502 screening in patients of Asian ancestry.
Topiramate (Topamax)
An anticonvulsant medication also used for migraine prevention and as an alternative for IIH. Has weight loss properties.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
A neurotoxin injected into muscles to reduce spasms. Used for blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and strabismus.
Gabapentin and Memantine
Medications used for neuropathic pain and nystagmus treatment in neuro-ophthalmology.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
An anti-seizure medication also used for neuropathic pain and some types of nystagmus.
Rocklatan (Netarsudil/Latanoprost)
Combination eye drops for glaucoma containing a rho kinase inhibitor and prostaglandin analog to lower eye pressure.
Simbrinza (Brinzolamide/Brimonidine)
Combination eye drops for glaucoma containing a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and alpha agonist to lower eye pressure.
Doxycycline
An oral antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties used for blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and ocular rosacea.
Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment (Ilotycin)
Learn what erythromycin ophthalmic ointment treats, how it is used for bacterial eye infections and conjunctivitis, common side effects, and important safety information.
Ganciclovir Gel (Zirgan)
An antiviral ophthalmic gel used to treat herpes simplex epithelial keratitis. Dosed less frequently than trifluridine and generally better tolerated.
Trifluridine (Viroptic)
An antiviral eye drop used to treat herpes simplex keratitis (epithelial dendritic ulcers). One of two main topical antivirals for ocular HSV infection.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
An oral antiviral used to treat and prevent ocular herpes simplex and varicella zoster infections. A commonly used systemic agent for HSV and VZV eye disease.
Brinzolamide (Azopt)
A topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop suspension for glaucoma. An alternative to dorzolamide with less stinging on instillation.
Dorzolamide (Trusopt)
A topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Often used as an add-on drug or in the timolol-dorzolamide combination.
Bimatoprost (Lumigan, Latisse)
A prostaglandin analog eye drop that lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Also marketed at lower concentration as the cosmetic eyelash treatment Latisse.
Latanoprost (Xalatan)
One of the most widely prescribed glaucoma drops. A once-daily prostaglandin analog that lowers eye pressure with strong effect and minimal systemic side effects.
Travoprost (Travatan)
A once-daily prostaglandin analog eye drop that lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Among the most effective single-drop pressure-lowering agents.