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Efficacy primary consideration with adjunctive therapies, survey finds
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The majority of glaucoma specialists reported that efficacy was most important when prescribing adjunctive therapies for glaucoma when compared to tolerability, safety and insurance coverage, according to a recently released survey.
Results of the 2014 M3 Global Research Survey of Glaucoma Specialists, which was sponsored by Allergan, were released at the end of August.
The report surveyed 126 glaucoma specialists. Of that group of specialists, 75% ranked efficacy as most important in the prescription of adjunctive therapy, and 91% reported that efficacy is important in that situation.
Fiaz Zaman, MD, an ophthalmologist at Houston Eye Associates who specializes in glaucoma and cataract care and refractive surgery, told Primary Care Optometry News that he agrees with the survey results when considering the nature of glaucoma.
“Glaucoma causes permanent loss of vision if left untreated,” he said. “Numerous clinical trials have shown that aggressive intraocular pressure control can slow or halt glaucoma changes to the optic nerve. This is the reason I agree that efficacy of adjunctive therapy is an important factor."
Additionally, 75% of specialists responded that reduction in IOP is most important in defining efficacy, and 75% look for a reduction of IOP of 3 mm Hg to 5 mm Hg when adding adjunctive therapies.
According to the survey, specialists also reported treating 52% of their patients with a prostaglandin analog alone and 25% of their patients with a prostaglandin analog as well as one adjunctive therapy.