Therapy for Open-Angle Glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optic Neuropathy

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• POAG is characterized by optic nerve damage and visual field loss, often asymptomatic in early stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical manifestations of POAG.
• To summarize current and emerging treatment strategies for POAG.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library (last 10 years).
• Inclusion of practice guidelines, reviews, original research, and prescribing information.
• Identification of unpublished studies via ClinicalTrials.gov.

Main Results:

• Ophthalmic medication therapy is crucial for retarding glaucoma progression.
• Prostaglandin analogs are frequently used as initial therapy due to efficacy and convenience.
• Beta-adrenergic blockers, alpha-2 agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are alternative medication classes.
• Selective laser trabeculoplasty offers a non-pharmacological treatment option.

Conclusions:

• POAG necessitates consistent treatment to prevent vision loss.
• Medication adherence and proper administration are critical for managing POAG.
• Emerging therapies, such as modified prostaglandin analogs, continue to evolve treatment paradigms.