Brimonidine's role in glaucoma treatment primarily focuses on which mechanism?

Brimonidine's role in the treatment of glaucoma is multifaceted, primarily focusing on both decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing aqueous outflow. It is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, which means it works by stimulating alpha-2 receptors in the eye.

When it comes to decreasing aqueous humor production, brimonidine reduces the secretion of fluid that is produced by the ciliary body, thus lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Lowering the production of aqueous humor is key in managing glaucoma because elevated IOP can lead to optic nerve damage.

Additionally, brimonidine also facilitates an increase in aqueous humor outflow, which helps in further lowering IOP. It does this by enhancing the drainage pathways in the eye. By acting on both fronts—reducing production and promoting outflow—brimonidine effectively manages the pressure in the eye.

The other options do not encompass this dual action that brimonidine exhibits. For instance, simply decreasing aqueous humor production or focusing solely on increasing outflow would not capture the full therapeutic benefits of the medication. Thus, recognizing that brimonidine operates through both mechanisms is crucial for understanding its overall efficacy in glaucoma treatment.