SpringfieldNewsSun.com

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 31 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Combigan eye drops (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) to treat elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with glaucoma or high blood pressure of the eye, maker Allergan Inc. said Wednesday.

The drug combines two medications -- Alphagan and timolol ophthalmic solution -- both previously approved to treat glaucoma. The new drug will be available in the fourth quarter of 2007, a company statement said.

IOP is a primary risk factor for glaucoma -- a disease affecting the optic nerve, and a leading cause of preventable blindness. More than 3 million Americans are thought to have glaucoma, although only about half know that they have it, Allergan said.

People with a history of bronchial asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shouldn't take Combigan, the company said.

More information

The Glaucoma Research Foundation has more about the disease.