Next-Gen Glaucoma Treatment Shows Promise, Eye Doctors Say

First Posted: Apr 07, 2014 07:50 PM EDT
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Glaucoma, or abnormal functioning of the trabecular meshwork that causes intraocular fluid backup, affects over 67 million people worldwide. A new study suggests that newer treatments will likely be effective in these patients.

Published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ted Acott's article entitled, "Intraocular Pressure Homeostasis: Maintaining Balance in a High-Pressure Environment" elaborates upon medical processes that can keep 92-98% of the population within the acceptable range of intraocular pressure.

The trabecular meshwork of the eye is a sponge-like tissue located near the cornea and iris that functions to drain the aqueous humor from the eye into the blood, according to the Free Medical Dictionary. Patients with glaucoma witness issues with the draining of the aqueous humor, which raises the eye pressure after significant buildup.

However, some glaucoma patients do have the disease, but if it is caught at the right time and is managed properly, the progression of the disease can be slowed and save the remaining vision. Lost vision caused by glaucoma cannot be restored. Elevated eye pressure is the most common risk factor for glaucoma, and it occurs in over 67 million people worldwide.

"The TM, a unique multilayered tissue that controls intraocular pressure, and its surrounding structures represent viable targets for the development of novel glaucoma therapies," the coauthors said in the study, according to a news release.

Glaucoma affects 2.2 million people in the United States, with prevalence as high as 1.8% in whites, 4.2% in Hispanics/Latinos, 5.2% among African Americans, and 6.5% in Asians. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the number of people with glaucoma in the U.S. will rise to 7.3 million by 2050.

But most people that suffer from intraocular pressure (IOP) do not develop glaucoma, as only 2-8% of people worldwide actually have the disease.

You can read about the next generation therapeutics for IOP and glaucoma in the published study.

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