Which topical glaucoma medication is associated with the phrases "short term escape" and "long term drift"?

Timolol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist, is commonly used as a topical medication to manage intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The phrases "short term escape" and "long term drift" refer to specific phenomena observed with the use of timolol in the treatment of glaucoma.

"Short term escape" describes the situation where the initial lowering of intraocular pressure becomes less effective over time, meaning that although the medication works well initially, its effect diminishes within a few weeks to months due to receptor downregulation or other compensatory mechanisms in the eye.

"Long term drift" further explains how, after the initial therapeutic response, there may be a gradual increase in intraocular pressure over time despite the patient continuing to use the medication. This can occur as the eye adapts to the medication, leading to a reduced long-term efficacy.

These phenomena are particular to timolol and similar beta-blockers, distinguishing them from other classes of glaucoma medications that do not exhibit these patterns in the same way. For instance, prostaglandin analogs tend to maintain their efficacy over longer periods without significant escape or drift, making timolol's unique response patterns noteworthy in the context of glaucoma therapy.