Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
08:30
Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
12.6K
Adjunctive therapy patterns in glaucoma patients using prostaglandin analogs.
Jordana K Schmier1, Carolyn K Hulme-Lowe1, David W Covert2
1Exponent, Alexandria, VA, USA.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|June 25, 2014
Summary
Many patients initiating glaucoma therapy with prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) require adjunctive treatments, often early and with combination products. Compliance remains a significant challenge, impacting treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Glaucoma management often necessitates multiple medications.
- Topical prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) are a common first-line therapy.
- Understanding adjunctive therapy patterns is crucial for optimizing glaucoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the patterns of adjunctive therapy use in patients newly starting topical prostaglandin analogs (PGAs).
- To investigate the timing and types of adjunctive therapies initiated.
- To assess the impact of initial adjunctive therapy fills on subsequent adherence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a managed care claims database.
- Inclusion of patients initiating PGA therapy between June 2007 and April 2011.
- Examination of adjunctive therapy prescriptions within 24 months of PGA initiation.
Main Results:
- 36% of patients initiated adjunctive therapy within 24 months of starting PGAs.
- 42% required adjunctive therapy within 30 days of PGA initiation.
- 25% of patients with 1-2 initial adjunctive therapy fills discontinued treatment, with 74% discontinuing altogether.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of glaucoma patients require adjunctive therapy early in treatment.
- Prescribing trends suggest earlier and more aggressive drug therapy for glaucoma.
- Poor compliance with adjunctive therapy poses a challenge, potentially due to treatment burden and cost.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.1K
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
1.1K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.6K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.6K
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.7K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.7K
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
279
Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
279
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
611
Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
611
01:11Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
1.9K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists have many therapeutic uses in various medical fields. Choline esters, including acetylcholine, have limited clinical utility due to their non-selectivity and short duration of action. Still, acetylcholine and carbachol are applied topically during ophthalmologic surgery to induce miosis. Pilocarpine, a muscarinic and ganglionic stimulator, effectively treats open-angle glaucoma and alleviates xerostomia and dry mouth caused by radiotherapy or Sjögren...
1.9K