Related Experiment Videos
Treatment Persistence with Combination Eye Drops for Glaucoma: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Japanese Medical Claims
Kenji Kashiwagi1, Miyuki Matsukawa2, Rikiya Toda3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan. kenjik@yamanashi.ac.jp.
Ophthalmology and Therapy
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Treatment persistence with glaucoma eye drops varies by drug combination. Regimens with more active ingredients and fewer bottles showed better persistence, crucial for managing this leading cause of blindness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, particularly in older populations.
- Consistent intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy is vital for preventing vision loss in glaucoma patients.
- Limited data exist on treatment persistence with combination eye-drop therapies for glaucoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment persistence with combination eye-drop therapy in Japanese patients diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
- To analyze factors influencing persistence, including specific drug combinations, number of bottles, and active ingredients.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study utilizing anonymized insurance claims data from the DeSC database.
- Inclusion criteria: Adults (≥18 years) with glaucoma or ocular hypertension initiating IOP-lowering therapy between June 2020 and May 2023.
- Primary outcomes focused on treatment persistence rates and durations across various combination therapy regimens.
Main Results:
- Persistence rates at 360 days varied significantly among carteolol/latanoprost combinations, with brimonidine/brinzolamide showing the highest (23.0%) and ripasudil the lowest (16.5%).
- Longer median persistence was observed with more active IOP-lowering ingredients but decreased with a higher number of eye drop bottles.
- Combination therapy with beta-blocker plus prostaglandin F2α receptor agonist trended towards longer persistence, while beta-blocker plus carbonic anhydrase inhibitor regimens trended towards shorter persistence.
Conclusions:
- Treatment persistence with combination eye-drop therapy for glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Japan is regimen-dependent.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes in glaucoma management.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
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...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
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...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
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...
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
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...