Expert: Future of interventional glaucoma offers radical change in attitude
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MILAN — Earlier intervention is the future of glaucoma, a switch to a proactive approach leading to improved compliance, reduced costs and better quality of life, according to Ike Ahmed, MD.
“Currently, glaucoma is primarily treated heavily with medications, some laser, and leaving intervention to much later in the disease. But we need to think differently to protect patients from severe disease,” he said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
Interventional glaucoma (IG) is an attitude, a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach, that entails early predictive diagnostics, active and advanced monitoring, and early and more aggressive intervention. IG addresses some of the major issues of topical drops, which have issues with compliance and side effects.
“Poor compliance leads to progression, which results in increased burden and increased costs. IG is intervening early in the disease, addressing adherence and achieving a safer and more effective lowering of intraocular pressure, ideally getting patients lower and as needed,” Ahmed said. “Benefits are improved quality of life, reduced local ocular side effects, reduced need for major incisional surgery and reduced visual field progression.”
The global glaucoma market revenue is currently 80% pharmaceuticals, but the devices segment is increasing, with more companies getting involved. This is mainly due to the development of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
“Within this space, we see MIGS devices for early glaucoma and microinvasive bleb surgery for later stages of the disease,” he said. “A glaucoma patient is not just one patient, unlike for cataract or refractive surgery. Multiple diagnostics and interventions can be applied at different stages of the patient’s journey.”
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Ahmed I. Glaucoma market size, trends and investment activity. Presented at: European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting; Sept. 16-20, 2022; Milan.
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