The Future is Bright for the Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a complicated eye disease that damages the optic nerve and leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, it is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. It’s estimated that more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know it. Everyone is at risk for developing the disease, especially people over the age of 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, people who are severely nearsighted and African Americans who are 6 to 8 times more likely to develop blindness from the disease.

As the U.S. population ages the incidence of glaucoma is likely to increase, and new treatments are needed to improve quality of life and the ability to function in daily activities. Currently, the only treatment for glaucoma is to lower the pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) which is usually achieved through eye drops or surgery. Usually patients have to use multiple types of eye drops to stop the disease from progressing. If surgery is required, it is either laser surgery or the type that requires an incision, called “incisional surgery”.

Even though glaucoma cannot be cured, scientists and physicians are constantly working to improve treatments for the disease. There are many new advances that hold promise for the future treatment of glaucoma and here are some of them.

Improved eye drops: Currently there are five families of eye drops that are used to lower pressure in the eye. In the near future, new compounds may be available that combine several highly effective medications in one daily dose to reduce pressure in the intraocular nerve.

Treating the brain first: Researchers are beginning to understand that glaucoma shares a number of characteristics with diseases that damage a specific area of the brain over time. Technically, the eye’s retina and optic nerve are part of the brain. Scientists are developing new treatments that treat the brain to promote nerve health, thereby improving the function of the optic nerve that is impacted by glaucoma.

Regenerating optic nerves: The optic nerve, retina (and the brain) are part of the central nervous system. The science of regenerative medicine hopes to introduce new nerve fibers, or induce new ones to regrow, in place of the nerves irreversibly damaged by glaucoma.

New minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: Referred to at MIGS, several new types of minimally invasive surgery for glaucoma are being developed using microscopic equipment and extremely tiny incisions. MIGS can reduce complications but also have a slightly reduced degree of effectiveness in treating glaucoma. Scientists are working to improve that.

Stem cells: The use of stem cells to treat glaucoma is being investigated because they have the potential to stop the progression of the disease by protecting the optic nerve. Stem cells may also be able to replace tissue in the eye that has degenerated from the disease. Currently physicians are unable to restore vision once glaucoma has reduced it. These treatments are still being investigated and researchers are still trying to determine many important details, including how to safely implant the stem cells and ensure that they establish a working connection with the right part of the brain.

Extremely early detection: Scientists have now learned that as soon as a tiny neuron in the optic nerve loses its connections, the retina loses its ability to support vision. However, there is a long period of time between that event and the irreversible dying off of the cells. Now that researchers know that window of time exists, they are beginning to focus on it as a potential vital time for treatment and opportunity to prevent progression of the disease.

While scientists work at advancing the treatment of glaucoma, we are here to help to enhance your current level of vision as much as possible. We want you to have a highly functional life of the highest quality. If you have been told that nothing more can be done to improve your sight, come see us. Our mission is to enhance sight for those living with low vision.

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