Current Medical Therapy and Future Trends in the Management of Glaucoma Treatment

Abstract

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only proven treatment strategy for glaucoma. However, some patients show progressive loss of visual field and quality of life despite controlled IOP which indicates that other factors are implicated in glaucoma. Therefore, approaches that could prevent or decrease the rate of progression and do not rely on IOP lowering have gained much attention. Effective neuroprotection has been reported in animal models of glaucoma, but till now, no neuroprotective agents have been clinically approved. The present update provides an overview of currently available IOP-lowering medications. Moreover, potential new treatment targets for IOP-lowering and neuroprotective therapy are discussed. Finally, future trends in glaucoma therapy are addressed, including sustained drug delivery systems and progress toward personalized medicine.