Ten most-read glaucoma articles usher in Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is glaucoma Awareness Month, a time when organizations spread the word regarding prevention and treatment of the sight-stealing disease.

More than 3 million people in the United States currently have glaucoma and the National Eye Institute estimates that number will increase to 4.2 million by 2030, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. The leading cause of irreversible blindness, glaucoma can be treated, but damage is permanent.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises routine, comprehensive eye exams in order to identify glaucoma early and prevent glaucoma-related blindness.

In 2017, new strides were made in the treatment of the sight-stealing disease.

Here are the top 10 most-read glaucoma articles on Healio.com/OSN in the past year:

1. Lifestyle changes can help lower IOP in glaucoma patients

Changes in behavior such as increasing exercise and consuming more dietary nitrates can help lower IOP in glaucoma patients, according to a speaker at the Hawaiian Eye meeting. Read more.

2. Wearable technology in future for glaucoma patients

Wearable technology will empower glaucoma patients as telemedicine opportunities are advanced, according to Louis R. Pasquale, MD, director of the Teleretinal Program at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston. Read more.

3. FDA responds to NDA for glaucoma drug

The FDA has sent a complete response letter to Valeant Pharmaceuticals regarding the new drug application for the Bausch + Lomb latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution 0.024% product called Vyzulta. Read more.

4. Strategies for enhancing outcomes in cataract surgery for glaucoma

While the advent of microinvasive glaucoma surgery, performed in conjunction with cataract surgery, opens up new avenues for controlling IOP, conventional lens extraction itself provides a useful tool that should be considered within the expanding range of treatment options for the glaucoma patient. Read more.

5. CyPass micro-stent shows good long-term results

Long-term results confirm that the CyPass micro-stent from Alcon safely reduces IOP and the number of glaucoma medications used, according to one surgeon. Read more.

6. Trabeculectomy successfully used as primary treatment in glaucoma patients

As a primary intervention, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C had a higher success rate than tube shunt surgery at 1 year in patients with glaucoma and no prior ocular surgery, according to a study. Read more.

7. Specialist reports results, gives pearls on use of Xen gel stent

The Xen gel stent achieves mean IOP just 1 mm Hg above the pressure benchmark of trabeculectomy and is proving to be a successful attempt to combine the efficacy of subconjunctival filtration with a minimally invasive procedure. Read more.

8. InnFocus MicroShunt with MMC reduces IOP in 4-year series

In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, the InnFocus MicroShunt reduced IOP by 55% from baseline to 11.2 mm Hg, according to a study. Read more.

9. Aerie Pharmaceuticals announces FDA approval of Rhopressa

Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) is a once-daily eye drop designed to lower IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The drop was approved by the FDA ahead of the scheduled Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of Feb. 28, 2018. Read more.

10. FDA gives nod to Bausch + Lomb’s once-daily glaucoma drops

Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, 0.024%) is indicated for the reduction of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is the first prostaglandin analog to have nitric oxide as one of its metabolites. Read more.

Sources: https://www.aao.org/newsroom/observances

https://www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucoma-awareness-month.php