October 20, 2016
2 min read
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Ripasudil with maximum medical therapy may significantly lower IOP

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Researchers determined that adding ripasudil to patients’ already-maximum therapeutic regimens may lower IOP significantly and also prevent the need for glaucoma surgery.

Perspective from Blair Lonsberry, OD, FAAO

The study included 35 Japanese men and women with primary open-angle glaucoma in whom the glaucoma was poorly controlled with maximum medical therapy before starting the twice daily treatment with ripasudil. Ripasudil was used as an adjunctive therapy to the ongoing glaucoma treatment, according to the study.

Mean IOP values at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment were 18.2 mm Hg, 16.2 mm Hg, 15.5 mm Hg and 15.4 mm Hg, respectively. IOP reductions from baseline after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment were -2.0 mm Hg, -2.7 mm Hg and -2.8 mm Hg, respectively. Researchers deemed all reductions statistically significant.

“We think that the addition of ripasudil to existing maximum therapy exerted an IOP-lowering effect, because the mechanism by which ripasudil lowers the IOP differs from that of other antiglaucoma medications,” the researchers wrote.

“In 48.5% of the patients in whom the predefined target IOP was achieved, this adjunctive therapy helped avoid glaucoma surgery at least in the short term,” they said. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.