What is New in Glaucoma Treatment | Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Most people have likely heard of glaucoma, but they might be unaware of how much glaucoma affects vision and the prevalence of the disease. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is the top cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60. 

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma involves an eye disease that affects the optic nerve in the back of the eye. In many cases, it occurs when the pressure in the eye becomes high due to increased fluid.

When the optic nerve becomes damaged, it can lead to vision loss. Typically, people with glaucoma do not have symptoms at first. As time goes on, they may slowly lose peripheral or side vision. Since it happens slowly, many people do not even realize their vision is changing.  

But glaucoma is identified through an eye exam. There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but treatment is available. Although treatment will not repair damage already sustained to the eyes, it can help slow the progression of the condition. 
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Standard treatment 

According to the National Eye Institute, prescription eye drops are the most frequent treatment for glaucoma. The eye drops help lower the pressure in the eye. By lowering the pressure, it may help reduce or slow damage to the optic nerve.

Different classifications of eye drops may be prescribed, such as those that lower the pressure in your eyes and those that decrease the amount of fluid the eye produces.

Depending on the specific eye drops prescribed, they need to  be administered once, twice, three, or four times a day. As long as the drops continue to work, an individual will need to keep using them.
Laser treatment may also be an option in some cases. Doctors use lasers to drain fluid out of the eye, which lowers eye pressure. 
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Research being done for glaucoma 

Fortunately, research continues to search for ways to better treat and manage glaucoma. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, researchers have done studies to identify certain genes that may indicate a likelihood of developing glaucoma. Determining which genes may play a role in the development of glaucoma can improve testing and clinical trial targets.

Another potential new treatment option is being studied. Researchers have developed a biannual injection that controls the pressure buildup in the eyes. The injection involves a biodegradable and natural material to create a water-absorbing pathway that allows excess fluid to leave the eye. Since the fluid leaves the eye, it decreases eye pressure.

The research was completed using animal studies and found eye pressure was reduced for four months. Additional studies are needed, but if successful, this type of treatment can eliminate the need for daily eye drops.

The US Food and Drug Administration also approved DURYSTA, which is a new treatment implanted into the eye. An implant containing a medication called bimatoprost helps to reduce eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma. The implant delivers the medication for several months. Possible side effects with treatment include eye pain, headaches, dry eyes, and blurry vision.

As research continues, people with glaucoma may have new options for treatment. Hopefully, this research will lead to a cure for glaucoma.

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with glaucoma, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible. Treatment may help reduce vision loss. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.