Blog by Ahmad A. Aref, MD, MBA

The IOP-lowering efficacy of microinvasive glaucoma surgeries has been demonstrated in a number of studies in the ophthalmic literature.

In my ophthalmology residency and also my fellowship, I learned to think about the modification of aqueous dynamics for treatment of glaucoma with respect to inflow (aqueous production) and outflow (aqueous drainage).

One of the most common questions I get asked by my patients with glaucoma is, “Doc, what else can I do to help my disease and prevent blindness?”

Laser trabeculoplasty was described in 1979 and involved an argon modality to noninvasively treat the trabecular meshwork.

Despite monumental achievements in the field of MIGS, glaucoma filtering surgery is still often required for patients with advanced and/or refractory disease states.

Infrequently, cataract surgeons may face a scenario in which the posterior capsule is compromised at the time of planned IOL implantation. This unplanned scenario requires thoughtful consideration of IOL choice and positioning.

A vital part of glaucoma management is assessing patients for the possibility of progressive disease.

The cornerstone of glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring relies on an assessment of optic nerve structure and function. Advancements in OCT have allowed glaucoma care providers to evaluate optic nerve structure to an unparalleled degree.

The need for sustained-release glaucoma therapies is clear to anyone caring for patients with the disease.

We are extremely fortunate to have a number of efficacious and relatively safe medical therapies to choose from when treating our patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma.