Four studies shed light on how eye doctors can improve care for glaucoma patients

Each month, ophthalmic journals report new developments from around the world as researchers search for more effective methods of managing patients with or at risk for glaucoma. Primary Care Optometry News summarizes these study results and also provide perspectives from practitioners on their relevance to clinical practice.

RNFL, macula thinner in patients with POAG family history

Researchers found significantly thinner retinal nerve fiber layer and macular ganglion cell complex in subjects with a family history of primary open-angle glaucoma using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography, according to a new study from the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Read more

SD-OCT in African Americans increases glaucoma detection by nearly 40%

Researchers found that screening with spectral domain optical coherence tomography greatly decreased the cases of undiagnosed glaucoma, in a study of 50,000 African Americans age 50 years and older. Read more

Study shows combined structure, function tests improve glaucoma detection

In a recent Journal of Glaucoma study, researchers found that the combination of frequency doubling technology and scanning laser polarimetry increased the ability to detect early, moderate and severe glaucoma. Read more

Study: Timolol gel displays similar efficacy as timolol eye drops

In evaluating timolol 0.1% gel compared to timolol 0.5% eye drops, researchers found that both treatments were effective after phacoemulsification surgery. Read more