Ripasudil

ripasudil

Ripasudil is an eye drop medicine used to lower elevated pressure inside the eye, a major risk factor for glaucoma. It works by relaxing and changing the behavior of cells in the eye’s drainage system, allowing fluid to leave more easily and lowering pressure. This action helps reduce the mechanical stress on the optic nerve, which can slow or prevent vision loss. Ripasudil is applied directly to the eye and is often used when other standard treatments are not enough or are not suitable. Common side effects include temporary redness of the eye and mild irritation, while serious side effects are relatively rare. What makes this medicine useful is that it targets the physical stiffness and contractile properties of drainage tissues, offering a different mechanism from many older glaucoma drugs. That different mechanism means it can be combined with other treatments to improve pressure control. Beyond lowering pressure, clinicians and researchers are watching whether ripasudil might have benefits for blood flow or nerve health in the eye. As part of comprehensive care, it provides another option for preserving vision in people with eye pressure problems.