How often do I use timolol?

Many regular timolol solutions start at twice daily dosing. Follow your own label and doctor instructions [1] .

Can timolol affect asthma?

Yes. The label says timolol is not for people with asthma or severe chronic lung disease [1] .

Do not stop on your own. Eye pressure can rise again when glaucoma drops are stopped.

Brief stinging can happen. Call your doctor if pain, swelling, rash, or breathing symptoms occur.

Treatment

Also known as Timolol Eye Drops, Beta-Blocker Glaucoma Drop, Timoptic, Eye Pressure Drop

Updated May 20, 2026·For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Timolol is a glaucoma eye drop that lowers eye pressure. It can affect breathing and heart rate, so your eye doctor needs your full medical history.

Timolol maleate ophthalmic solution treats high eye pressure in ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma ¹.

It is a beta-blocker eye drop. The medicine lowers pressure, but some of it can enter the body through the eye surface.

The label warns against use in people with asthma, severe chronic lung disease, slow heartbeat, heart block, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock ¹.

Timolol is available as a generic eye drop. Many pharmacy plans cover it.

Ask whether your bottle is a regular solution or a gel-forming drop. The dose schedule can differ.

Use timolol exactly as your doctor prescribed. More drops do not work better.

If you use more than one eye drop, separate drops by at least 5 minutes. Keep the bottle tip away from your eye and skin.

Timolol can act like a body beta-blocker after it is placed in the eye. The label warns that serious breathing and heart reactions can happen ¹.

Tell your eye doctor about asthma, lung disease, slow pulse, heart block, heart failure, diabetes medicines, thyroid disease, and planned surgery.

Eye burning or stinging can happen after the drop. Some people notice blurred vision, dry eyes, or eye irritation.

Call your doctor right away for wheezing, fainting, chest pain, severe dizziness, swelling, or a very slow heartbeat.

No. Timolol is a beta-blocker drop used to lower eye pressure.

1Tell your eye doctor about asthma, lung disease, heart rhythm problems, and heart failure.
2Use timolol exactly on schedule unless your doctor changes it.
3Separate other eye drops by at least 5 minutes.
4Call your doctor for wheezing, fainting, chest pain, or a very slow pulse.
5Keep pressure and optic nerve follow-up visits.

Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic.

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