Rho-kinase Inhibitor

Rho-kinase inhibitor

A Rho-kinase inhibitor is a medicine that blocks enzymes called Rho-associated kinases, which help control how cells contract and how fluid moves in the body. In the eye, these enzymes influence the tiny drainage tissues that regulate the pressure inside the eye. By blocking them, the medication relaxes those tissues and helps fluid leave the eye more easily, which lowers intraocular pressure. These drugs are commonly given as eye drops and work differently from many older glaucoma medications. They can also affect blood vessels and the support cells around nerves, and early research suggests they might help protect nerve cells or improve local blood flow. That potential neuroprotective effect is still being studied, so their full benefits are not yet certain. Common side effects include redness, irritation, and a temporary stinging feeling, and not everyone tolerates them. Overall, they matter because they provide a newer option for lowering eye pressure and can be useful when other treatments are insufficient or cause problems.