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The goal is to provide an end-to-end operating system that unifies clinical, operational, and financial workflows.

Barti Software raises $12M Series A for AI-powered electronic health records for eye care

Jeremiah Tao highlights essential safety strategies in oculofacial surgery, emphasizing cost-effective techniques to prevent complications and enhance patient care.

Avoiding disasters and oculofacial surgery

A study of the progression of sensitivity loss in GA over time using inferred data

Recapping the Heidelberg Engineering International SPECTRALIS Symposium—and Beyond.

The future of imaging is out of this world

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Ophthalmology Times – Clinical Insights for Eye Specialists

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Glaucoma

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Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD, glaucoma and cataract specialist at Acuity Eye Group (Pasadena, CA), clinical assistant professor at USC Roski Eye Institute, shares her clinical perspective on the evolution of interventional glaucoma, including the shift in standard treatment procedures and why taking an active approach to treating patients is key for success.

In this latest EyePod® episode, Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD, shares her clinical perspective on the multi-faceted, dynamic evolution of interventional glaucoma. 

Exploring the evolution of interventional glaucoma



During AAO 2020, Thomas Samuelson, MD, speaks on the outcomes of a three-year trial analyzing the iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass + phaco versus phaco alone in patients with POAG.

Thomas Samuelson, MD, speaks on the outcomes of a three-year trial analyzing the iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass + phaco versus phaco alone in patients with POAG.

Comparing micro-bypass implant + phaco vs phaco in POAG

The study will be evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of QLS-111 in adult patients with normal tension glaucoma.

First patient dosed in Qlaris Bio's phase 2 Nightingale clinical trial for QLS-111

NCX 470 met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline compared to the standard of care, latanoprost 0.005%. 

Nicox releases topline data from phase 3 Denali trial of NCX 470 in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients

PA5108 is a rod-shaped, biodegradable microimplant designed to significantly reduce IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma consistently over 6 months.

PolyActiva enrolls first patient in phase 2b clinical trial of PA5108 ocular implant

Nicox and Kowa entered into an agreemen in February 2024, in which Kowa was granted exclusive Japanese rights to develop and commercialize NCX 470.

Kowa initiates phase 3 safety trial of NCX 470 in Japan

Eyetronic is a noninvasive treatment for glaucoma that provides external neural stimulation to the optic nerve of patients.

First US patient receives Eyetronic glaucoma treatment at Glaucoma Center of San Francisco

From MIGS to gene therapy: Inder Paul Singh, MD, celebrates the past and future of glaucoma care

 50th anniversary, Inder Paul Singh, MD, of The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, in Wisconsin, offered a look back at transformative changes in glaucoma care over recent decades—and where the field is heading next.

“First of all, happy anniversary! Fifty years is incredible,” Singh said. “The way I practice today is extremely different than how I practiced when I came out of fellowship.” He emphasized a fundamental shift toward an interventional glaucoma mindset, enabled by safer, earlier, and more targeted treatment options. “What is probably the most obvious technological revolution for us was MIGS [minimally invasive glaucoma surgery] in general,” he said, noting how MIGS changed how clinicians view the relationship between cataract and glaucoma. “Cataract is just an excuse to take care of the glaucoma now.”

The shift in defining “controlled” glaucoma is another key change. “If someone’s...not able to take their medications, they have some compliance-related issue...that’s someone who’s not controlled.” This evolving understanding has driven the adoption of interventions such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and sustained-release drug delivery (eg, Durysta, iDose), both of which now serve as practical first-line or adjunctive treatments, he noted.

SLT, although not new, has gained prominence with better data and improved technology. “SLT is the most physiologic way of addressing the pathology...you’re having the body heal itself.” Drug delivery systems have further helped mitigate compliance issues, “hedging our bet” alongside standalone MIGS procedures.

Looking forward, Singh is excited about emerging diagnostics capable of detecting early cellular stress and apoptosis, as well as genetic testing and therapy. “I think we’re going to see more...even earlier diagnostics,” and the potential to tailor interventions with greater precision. 

He also highlighted the promise of home-based tonometry, optical coherence tomography, and visual field testing. As diagnostics, therapeutics, and data converge, Singh sees “a lot of exciting” advances ahead—particularly in individualized, proactive care.

Videos

New technologies and a proactive mindset are transforming how glaucoma is diagnosed and treated—and redefining what “controlled” really means.

ASCRS 2025: Deb Ristvedt, DO, on medications, lasers, and lifestyle in glaucoma management

Deb Ristvedt, DO, moderated a session titled 

, highlighting the rapid evolution of glaucoma treatment paradigms at the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting, held April 25 to 28 in Los Angeles, California.

“This space is so exciting because it's rapidly changing and our mindset is changing,” Ristvedt said. “We're going less drops. We're going earlier in the angle.”

The session emphasized a shift toward earlier intervention and longer-term control to minimize visual field loss. Drug delivery advancements were a central focus. Doug Rhee, MD, presented data on the sustained effects of medications at the trabecular meshwork, noting mechanisms that continue to act even beyond their expected duration. “We have medications in terms of drug delivery that now have more concentration in the eye and provide more stability of IOP 24 hours a day,” Ristvedt highlighted.

Laser therapy is also seeing transformative developments. The discussion revisited the LiGHT trial’s impact on positioning SLT as a first-line treatment. However, new attention was given to direct SLT—a next-generation modality delivering energy translimbally in just 2.6 seconds. “It works through the limbus targeting the trabecular meshwork… getting around the same results as manual SLT,” Ristvedt explained. A key advantage? It eliminates the need for a gonio lens, improving both patient experience and surgeon ergonomics. “It looks like less arching of our bodies. It looks like better setup and better ergonomics.”

Finally, the session examined lifestyle considerations—for both patients and providers. “Our lifestyle is so important when we think about holistically how we're affecting quality of life,” Ristvedt emphasized, underscoring the session’s broader call for sustainable, patient-centric glaucoma care.

Glaucoma management is shifting toward earlier, drop-sparing interventions using sustained drug delivery and advanced laser technologies that improve outcomes and quality of life for both patients and physicians.

Evolving glaucoma management through the decades: insights from Thomas W. Samuelson, MD

 50th Anniversary, Thomas W. Samuelson, MD, reflects on the evolution of glaucoma treatment over recent decades, highlighting a shift from a traditional stepwise approach of eye drops, laser, and surgery toward a more individualized, interventional strategy that prioritizes patient quality of life and long-term disease management.

The current paradigm often involves managing glaucoma with laser or drops until cataract surgery, at which point a MIGS procedure is incorporated based on disease severity. Samuelson, who is attending surgeon and a founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants in Minneapolis, emphasizes that "one of the most important points in the lifetime of a glaucoma patient is when cataract surgery is planned," as it presents an opportunity for simultaneous glaucoma intervention. 

Samuelson highlights the increasing focus on reducing the treatment burden for patients. "We're trying to take the burden of treatment off of patients. We're trying to lessen their load," he explains, noting the role of selective laser trabeculoplasty or direct selective laser trabeculoplasty, depot drug delivery, minimally invasive angle surgeries (MIGS), and goniotomy procedures. These safer interventions help mitigate the risks of medication toxicity, a common issue for long-term glaucoma patients.

Although topical therapy remains an essential component of care, Samuelson views it as increasingly adjunctive: "I'm not one that thinks we can get rid of drops. We're always going to have drops, but drops have become more of an adjunct and supplemental therapy." Many patients can now transition from initial treatment to cataract surgery with a MIGS procedure without reaching the multi-drug regimens that were once standard.

For severe glaucoma, traditional procedures like trabeculectomy and tube shunts remain necessary. However, Samuelson underscores the benefit of reserving these high-risk surgeries for the patients who truly need them. "What used to happen is we'd have to offer people with mild to moderate glaucoma a very aggressive operation, because that's all we had." Now, safer, staged interventions provide a more tailored and patient-friendly approach.

The focus in recent years has shifted to reducing the long-term burden of medical therapy, minimizing the risk of medication toxicity and persistent ocular surface disease. 

Video Series

Glaukos Corporation's COO Chris Calcaterra gives an update on the company's latest  24-month phase 2b data for its iDose TR sustained-release travoprost implant, next steps for securing FDA approval, and his outlook for 2021. 

Glaukos COO shares product updates, 2021 pipeline 

Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, Glaucoma Associates of Texas, provides an update on optimization and surgical modifications of newer glaucoma surgeries.


Optimizing and modifying newer glaucoma surgeries

Joseph F. Panarelli, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Medical Center, shares some clinical pearls for managing masquerade syndromes and determining when it is not glaucoma.

When is it not glaucoma: Masquerade syndromes

Donald L. Budenz, MD, MPH, shares the key takeaways from his Shaffer-Hetherington-Hoskins Lecture, focusing on glaucoma epidemiology, presented during the 2021 Glaucoma 360's 25th Annual Glaucoma Symposium CME. 

Studying glaucoma epidemiology at the center of the Earth 

Robert L. Stamper, MD, discusses the findings of a study analyzing the effects of corneal mechanics on IOP, presented during the virtual Glaucoma 360 meeting.

Analyzing effects of corneal biomechanics on IOP 

Read the article on Dr. William's presentation here

During the 2021 Glaucoma 360 meeting, Ruth D. Williams, MD, speaks on the highlights and key findings from the EAGLE study, which showed clear lens extraction surgery may be a better initial treatment for some glaucoma patients.

Treating PAC, PAC glaucoma with CLE

Tanner Ferguson, MD, an ophthalmology resident at the Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute, discusses findings from the study "Trabecular Micro-bypass Stent Implantation (iStent)" + Phacoemulsification in PXG: Six-Year Outcomes," during the virtual AAO 2020 meeting. 


Tanner Ferguson, MD, Cole Eye Institute, discusses findings from the study "Trabecular Micro-bypass Stent Implantation (iStent)" + Phacoemulsification in PXG: Six-Year Outcomes," during the virtual AAO 2020 meeting. 

Therapeutic Glaucoma

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