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Studies show increased prescribing by ODs
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BOSTON — The number of prescriptions written by optometrists for treating glaucoma and tear disorders continues to increase, according to study results presented in a poster here at Academy 2011 Boston.
Agustin L. Gonzalez, OD, analyzed 3-year prescribing data obtained by recompilation of filled prescriptions from IMS. In one study he looked at prescriptions written for artificial tears, ocular lubricant drugs and cyclosporine emulsion. In another study he considered ophthalmic drugs for treating glaucoma or glaucoma-related conditions, including prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, pilocarpine, epinephrine and derivatives, and miotics.
Dr. Gonzalez reported "a positive growth trend" for all tear disorder prescriptions, according to the poster.
"The highest growth was in ocular lubricants, with 62% year over year increase, yet the highest prescribed ophthalmic medication by volume was cyclosporine emulsion, with more than 630,000 prescriptions written in 2009," he said.
He also reported a positive growth trend for glaucoma agents, with the most growth seen in prostaglandin analogs, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and beta-blockers, according to the abstract.
"The highest growth was in carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, with 13.6% year over year increase," Dr. Gonzalez reported, "yet the highest prescribed ophthalmic medication by volume were the prostaglandin analogs with more than 2 million prescriptions per year."
Dr. Gonzalez concluded that the data in both studies indicate that "optometrists in the US have a more comfortable attitude toward the medical treatment and management" of these diseases.
- Disclosure: Dr. Gonzalez has no relevant financial disclosures.