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Study: Team approach necessary for glaucoma treatment in pregnancy, lactation
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According to a new study, a lack of data on treating glaucoma during pregnancy and lactation warrants a cautious and multi-faceted approach.
Salim reported in the Current Opinion in Ophthalmology that the risks of glaucoma medications in pregnancy are, for the most part, unknown, as clinical trials pose ethical and legal constraints.
While brimonidine, a category B medication, is presumed safe, it is only due to animal studies. Other glaucoma medications, including prostaglandin analogs, parasympathomimetics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and beta blockers, which are category C medications, have not been deemed as safe due to adverse effects reported in animal studies and a lack of human studies, according to the report.
"The treatment of glaucoma during pregnancy and lactation requires careful consideration and understanding of disease status, stage of pregnancy, U.S. Food and Drug Administration classification and guidelines, and potential benefits and limitations of various therapeutic modalities," Salim concluded. "A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to appropriately balance the risks and benefits of any intervention and to individualize treatment to achieve the best outcomes for both mother and fetus."
Previously, Primary Care Optometry News has reported on utilizing surgical management such as argon laser trabeculoplasty or selective laser trabeculoplasty in lieu of medicinal management, as it may pose a lower risk.
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