Lynda Charters

Quality-of-life issues have stepped into the spotlight for glaucoma, and ophthalmologists are learning how to incorporate new insights and tools into their clinical practice.

The silent nature of glaucoma makes the disease especially challenging which is why Prevent Blindness is collaborating with other leading eye care groups in declaring January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Awareness is key to early detection and treatment of glaucoma.

The glaucoma medication market is thriving today with newer medications that are increasingly efficacious with a new mechanism of action.

Optical coherence tomography detects abnormalities and progressive thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer better than measurement of the visual fields.

The intraocular pressure-lowering drugs netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% and latanoprost 0.005% administered separately and then compared with the fixed-combination formulation are similar regarding their effect on the corneal endothelium. 

Education of in-hospital care givers about anti-glaucoma medications required by inpatients significantly increased the adherence rate to the medication regimens. 

Look beyond intraocular pressure for diagnosis and treatment.