Key takeaways
Travoprost (Travatan Z) and timolol are both used to lower eye pressure and treat glaucoma, but they belong to different medication classes. Travoprost is a prostaglandin eye drop that helps fluid drain from inside the eye, while timolol is a beta blocker that reduces the amount of fluid in the eye. Travoprost is typically applied once a day in the evening, whereas timolol is usually applied once or twice a day. Travoprost can cause side effects like eye redness and changes in eye color, while timolol may cause burning or stinging in the eye and can affect heart rate and blood pressure. Travoprost is available as a lower-cost generic, and although the brand name Timoptic for timolol has been discontinued, its generic version is still available. Additionally, timolol is not recommended for people with certain heart or lung conditions, unlike travoprost.
