New advances in glaucoma treatment
Glaucoma treatment Carlsbad CA
Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure in the eye builds up. This causes damage to the delicate structures inside of the eye. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Fortunately, the condition can be treated, which can greatly reduce the likelihood of further visual impairment. In fact, research on glaucoma has led to several new treatments recently coming onto the market. As eye doctors interested in cutting-edge technology, we’re excited to see these new options for patients.
Medical treatments for glaucoma
One of the ways to treat glaucoma is to use eye drops. Through a variety of mechanisms, these medications decrease the pressure inside of the eye, helping to prevent damage to the structures of the eye.
In 2017, the FDA approved two new treatments for glaucoma. One of these, Rhopressa, has a new mechanism of action that hasn’t been used before by other glaucoma drugs. It’s believed to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye, so that less pressure builds up, although scientists are still studying exactly how Rhopressa works. Our patients like it because it only needs to be used once per day to be effective.
The other new medication, Vyzulta, has a dual mechanism of action. The drug itself acts to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye, and it’s also metabolized within the body to create another substance that can also help to open the channels that drain the eye. This novel mechanism makes Vyzulta very exciting to patients with glaucoma.
In addition to these new options, there are several other options for eye drops that can help with glaucoma. Particular ones will work better for certain people, and they can all have side effects. It’s important to work closely with your eye doctor to find the best one for you.
Surgical treatments for glaucoma
Surgical options for treating glaucoma are also available. These are often used in addition to eyedrops, in order to help control glaucoma. The surgeon creates a drainage path for the fluid from the eye, to prevent the buildup of fluid that can cause increased eye pressure.
One of the developments in the last few years is a device called a microstent. This is a tiny tube that’s smaller than the width of a human hair. It can be implanted into the eye to provide a drainage path for fluid. In 2016, the first microstent was FDA-approved, and more surgical options are likely to follow soon. The microstent can be implanted during cataract surgery, and is less invasive than other surgical options.
Laser options have also revolutionized the treatment of glaucoma. Laser treatments can help to open up channels for fluid to drain from the eye, lowering the pressure. Depending on the specific type of glaucoma, channels may be created in different parts of the eye. The development of lasers has made a big difference in the treatment of glaucoma. While lasers have been used in medical treatment for decades, advancements in the technology have made them more precise, allowing them to be used for more treatment options.
The future could bring more advancements in glaucoma treatment
We expect there to be a variety of new advancements in glaucoma treatment coming in the next few years. For example, one team of researchers has recently discovered several genes that appear to be involved in glaucoma. This provides scientists with new potential targets for therapies. Another team of researchers has recently developed a new type of eyedrop that could be applied once a day, just before bed, and would slowly release the active ingredient into the eye all night. These advances, and others like them, will continue to help us treat one of the leading causes of blindness.
Glaucoma is known as a “silent thief of sight,” because the first symptom noticed by patients is often irreversible vision loss. If it’s caught early, treatment of glaucoma can help to prevent this loss of vision. This is why it’s so crucial to visit your eye doctor regularly, to detect problems like glaucoma before they cause irreversible damage. If it’s been a while since your last eye doctor visit, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Your vision is worth it.
