Canaloplasty after failed trabeculectomy: a possible option

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who have a disrupted Schlemm’s canal wall due to prior glaucoma surgery may benefit from a modified non-filtering canaloplasty technique. Read more →

Under Pressure: Protecting Neurons From Glaucoma

Pete Williams, Ph.D., is researching how to protect the optic nerve from changes in intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma.  He’s identifying the genes that show changes in expression in the glaucoma-affected mice compared to their unaffected counterparts. Next, Dr. Williams will test which ones affect the symptoms. By disrupting those genes that are early contributors to the disease, Dr. Williams intends to prevent nerve degeneration. Read more →

Marijuana-Derived Eye Drop?!

Nemus Bioscience may soon begin clinical testing of a marijuana-derived eye drop for the treatment of glaucoma. Read more →

Stem cell secretions may protect against glaucoma

Stem cell treatment for glaucoma is both controversial and complicated. There may, however, be a simpler solution around the corner. Researchers have discovered that “exosomes” derived from stem cells protect damaged rat optic nerves. Exosomes are packages of lipids (fats), proteins, and small strands of RNA. They are produced by stem cells and may act a “messengers” between cells. In theory, exosome treatment of glaucoma would require injecting these microscopic “packages” into the eye on a regular basis. Still, that’s much simpler than working with whole cells (and potentially less controversial as well). Read more →

MicroPulse® P3 “Cyclophotocoagulation” – A Burst of Good News for those with Glaucoma

A new type of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that has quietly joined the fray in the battle against glaucoma: MicroPulse® P3 “Cyclophotocoagulation”. Traditional methods of cyclophotocoagulationburn the ciliary body. MicroPulse® P3 “Cyclophotocoagulation”, however, uses a slow application of laser energy that is “chopped” into micropulses (or, bursts). Each pulse heats up, but does not burn or destroy eye tissue. In between each pulse is a pause. This pause allows the eye tissue to cool off. In this manner the eye tissue is changed rather than destroyed.Read more →

Vitamin B-3 successfully prevents glaucoma in mice

Study suggests that treatments with vitamin B-3 – also known as niacin, or nicotinamide – improves the metabolism of aging retinal ganglion cells, keeping them healthy.” Read more →

Effect of Type and Daily Dosage of Statin on Risk of Open-Angle Glaucoma

Cholesterol lowering statin drugs may protect against developing glaucoma. “As statin use is increasing, there is growing evidence that it can reduce cholesterol levels and may also be protective against development of open-angle glaucoma. This large retrospective study analyzed over 25,000 cases…” Read more →

24 Hour IOP Measurements May Be Predictive of Visual Field Worsening in Patients with Glaucoma

Dr. Gustavo De Moraes and his team of researchers presented a paper, which showed that a single 24 hour measurement with the SENSIMED Triggerfish® contact lens could predict the risk of worsening visual field loss over the next 5 years! Read more → 

Introducing Canaloplasty with the Stegmann Canal Expander®

The inventor of canaloplasty, Dr. Robert Stegmann,  invented yet another device that could  further expand the canal and make canaloplasty even more effective at lowering the IOP in patients with glaucoma. It is a tube-shaped scaffolding device, about twice the thickness of a human hair. It is placed into Schlemm’s canal after canaloplasty has been performed. Once inserted, the Stegmann Canal Expander® keeps up to half of the canal open – permanently.  Read more → 

What Does Cellophane Have to Do with Glaucoma?

Cellophane maculopathy or Epiretinal Membrane—which closely resembles Saran^TM Wrap—is known to be associated with growth of a particular type of cell called glial cells. These cells respond to inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that glial cells may also be activated in those with glaucoma. In a study conducted by Dr. Luna Xu and colleagues, eyes which required surgery to treat cellophane maculopathy had evidence of worse glaucoma than the fellow eyes without the epiretinal membrane.  Read more → 

Vision quest: Tulane researchers use virtual reality to fight glaucoma 

Virtual Reality Headset could someday replace hated Visual Field testing. A team of Tulane University researchers plan to take the Oculus Rift purpose beyond gaming by using the console to diagnose glaucoma. Read more → 

FDA Cleared Icare® HOME, An Innovative Device Poised To Revolutionize IOP Self-Monitoring

The Icare® HOME tonometer for IOP Self-Monitoring has been cleared by the FDA and is now available for use in the United States.  Read more →

BELKIN Laser is developing a one-second glaucoma laser treatment 

Exciting stuff! Dr. Michael Belkin (who is one of the authors of the transscleral SLT study) is developing an SLT device that could be used to perform transscleral SLT in seconds without the need for a contact lens. Read more →

Inflammation After Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) Glaucoma Surgery

Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) is generally thought of as a relatively low risk glaucoma treatment. One potential risk, however, is uveitis (inflammation) of the eye. This inflammation has been reported to occasionally be quite severe after ECP. Read more →

Update on the Stem Cell Treatment of Glaucoma – Encouraging the Growth of Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Dr. Markus Kuehn  and colleagues are currently working on  induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-TM). In mice transplanted with iPSC-TM the aqueous humor outflow facility (drainage of fluid out of the eye) improved within two months of surgery. This was associated with increased cellular density of the trabecular meshwork, IOP control, and protection of the retinal ganglion cells (usually damaged by elevated IOP). Read more →

Central Visual Field Loss Associated with More Rapid Vision Loss in Glaucoma

There is now evidence that early central loss of vision can predict how quickly your glaucoma will worsen. While it’s inconvenient to sit through two separate visual fields—for those eyes with early central vision loss, more frequent visual field testing should be performed. Ideally, both 24-2 and 10-2 fields would be repeated 2-4 times per year.—the added information will help your glaucoma surgeon best protect you from losing vision Read more →

Potential predictor of glaucoma damage identified 

Research in mice and patients suggests biomarker could predict vision loss.”A biomarker that appears linked to damage to cells in the retina of the eye has been identified by researchers. The marker may make it possible to better monitor the progression of glaucoma, as well as the effectiveness of treatment for the blinding disease.” Read more →

Glaucoma Visual Field Progression-IOP-Tonometers

For those with glaucoma, higher intraocular pressure (IOP) is associated with faster vision loss. There are now multiple different types of tonometry used to check IOP. It’s reasonable, then, to ask, “Is any one of these methods of checking IOP better at monitoring glaucoma?” Read more →

Imprimis Pharmaceuticals Introduces its Simple Drops™ Combination Glaucoma Drops

Finally! You may now simplify your glaucoma drop treatment regimen. No more juggling multiple bottles! Innovative Simple Drops™ combine multiple medications into single drop bottles for glaucoma patient’s convenience. Read more →

EYEMATE Intraocular Pressure Sensor Implant Receives CE mark

There’s a new IOP measuring system that has received CE mark approval for use with glaucoma patients within EU. The system enables patients to do their own IOP measurement anywhere and anytime. Read more →

Sustained Drug Delivery for Glaucoma Treatment

Soon, a way out of the hassle of a glaucoma drop regimen. These implants would contain glaucoma medication that would be slowly released over many months (known as “Sustained Drug Delivery”). It is quite likely that one or more of these implants will be FDA approved over the next few years for the treatment of glaucoma. Read more →

Electroceuticals to treat glaucoma

BioNode has developed a technology that uses a non-invasive special eyeglass + contact lenses that deliver currents to the part of the eye that help drain fluid build-up. Early tests in mice showed promise and they are now putting a clinical trial of 100 patients to verify the prototype’s efficacy and durability profile.

New drug to treat glaucoma to hit market soon

DE-117, a new glaucoma therapy being developed by Santen Pharmaceutical, recently won the approval of its Phase 3 clinical trial plan. This drug is further being studied if it can replace or will work better than Xalatan (compound Latanoprost). It’s now on Phase 3 Clinical Trial. Read more →

Ocular surface disease in patients under topical treatment for glaucoma

Higher prevalence of Ocular Surface Disease seen on patients taking IOP-lowering drops with preservatives than those not taking them. Read more →

Roclatan meets primary efficacy endpoint in phase 3 study

Roclatan, a once-daily fixed-dose combination drug for lowering IOP achieved positive efficacy results in a a 718-patient Phase 3 clinicial trial.

Roclatan—a combination of Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) and prostaglandin analogue (PGA) latanoprost is poised to become the most potent IOP-lowering therapy to enter the market, if it gets FDA approval. Read more →

Ubiquitous steroid use posing unwitting cause for glaucoma

Use of steroids by any route may lead to increased IOP and significant visual loss for those with glaucoma. Read more →

OAG exhibits significantly higher rate of stroke development

Patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma are more likely to experience a stroke and males are at greater risks than females, according to a retrospective study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Read more →

The Journal Record’s Innovator of the Year: Khaimi wins top award for glaucoma surgery advances

Ab-interno canaloplasty developer wins top award for glaucoma surgery advances. Dr. Richardson wrote about Dr. Mahmoud A. Khaimi’s work here: http://bit.ly/2z6Wc7s. Read more →  

Recall of Two Glaucoma Medications Announced

Allergan has announced a voluntary recall of 7 lots of Combigan and 1 lot of Lumigan (bimatoprost) due to testing results not meeting the regulatory specifications for individual and total impurities. . Read more → 

ABiC viable option for different stages severities of glaucoma

According to Dr. Mark J. Gallardo,  one of the most interesting forms of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) is ab-interno canaloplasty (ABiC). An evolution of traditional canaloplasty, ABiC’s ability to restore the eye’s natural outflow pathway—with or without cataract surgery—makes it a viable option for the treatment of different stages and severities of glaucoma. Read more to find out the impressive result of his 12 month case series study. Read more →

VYZULTA™: A New FDA Approved Glaucoma Medication with Dual Action

On November 2, 2017, the FDA approved VYZULTA™ (latanoprostene bunod 0.024%) for the treatment of glaucoma. The prostaglandin analog class of glaucoma medications has only one method of action: improving uveoscleral outflow. VYZULTA™, on the other hand, appears to use all outflow pathways acting as a prostaglandin analog “plus”. Read more → 

EyeOP1® ULTRASOUND Cyclo-Plasty (UCP) Glaucoma Treatment

Will US FDA follow France’s and China’s lead in approving the EyeOP1® UCP as a glaucoma treatment? In late October it was announced that the Chinese FDA had approved a new non-invasive glaucoma treatment called EyeOP1® Ultrasound Cyclo-Plasty (also known as Ultrasound Ciliary-Plasty, or UCP). Using ultrasound to treat glaucoma, is new… Read more → 

Scientists discover potential treatment to stop glaucoma in its tracks

“Vision scientists at UC Berkeley and the University of Toronto have discovered that naturally occurring molecules known as lipid mediators have the potential to halt the progression of glaucoma…” Read more → 

Hydrus™ Microstent 2-Year Results

There might soon be another MIGS available in the USA. The results of the HORIZON study suggest that the Hydrus™ Microstent may be the most effective MIGS implant to date. Currently, the only FDA approved MIGS implants are the iStent and CyPass. Based on the results of the HORIZON study, that may soon change. If so, not only will patients with mild to moderate glaucoma have more options, they might have a more effective option as well. Read more → 

Stem Cell Treatments for Eye Disease Include Risk of Blindness

“Although I am very excited about the future role of stem cell treatment of eye diseases, there are currently no proven stem cell treatments for glaucoma. Anyone considering stem cell treatment should read this cautionary article as it has some advice on how to protect yourself from unnecessary risk”. Read more →

High-precision Microdosing Device might be available in the US by 2020

All conventional front-of-the-eye therapies are administered using 100-year-old legacy eye-dropper pipette technology. Eyenovia attempts to provide a better, safer, and more targetted drug delivery mechanism alternative to this with its breakthrough piezo-print technology for high-precision micro-dosing. The product is now on clinical stage. Read more →

Drinking Hot Tea May Protect Against Glaucoma

Researchers found a strong link between people drinking hot tea daily and lower odds of developing glaucoma. Among those who consumed at least one cup of hot tea per day, the odds of having glaucoma were 74 percent lower than those of non-tea drinkers. Read more → 

Gene Therapy for Glaucoma – Update from AGS 2017

Dr. Paul L. Kaufman gave an interesting “Overview of Gene-Based Therapies for Glaucoma” at the recent American Glaucoma Society (AGS) 2017 Annual Meeting. His presentation covered strategies, methods, outcomes, and obstacles related to this glaucoma treatment approach. However, as Dr. Kaufman made clear, there are still a number of hurdles that will need to be cleared before such treatments will be available for human use. Read more → 

Ab-Interno Canaloplasty: Two-Year Results

Does the IOP-lowering effect of Ab-Interno Canaloplasty last?  That is the question posed by a study recently presented by Dr. Norbert Koerber at the 2017 World Glaucoma Congress. Although small in size (only 25 patients), it was long in duration (up to 24 months of post-surgical follow-up.

• average IOP dropped from 19.5mmHg to 15.7mmHg (a two point drop in IOP)
• average the number of medications required to achieve IOP control dropped from 1.7 prior to ABiC to 0.4 24 months out from surgery. Sixty four (64%) of the patients who participated in this study were glaucoma medication free after surgery. Read more → 

Aerie Pharmaceuticals announces FDA approval of Rhopressa

Dr. David Richardson wrote an article last July 2014 on a new class of potential glaucoma medications termed the “ROCK and ROCK/NET inhibitors”, which includes Rhopressa—a combination ROCK/NET inhibitor. Click this link if you want to learn more.  Read more →

Combined phacocanaloplasty for open-angle glaucoma and cataract: 12 months results

Canaloplasty combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification for open-angle glaucoma and cataract: 12 months results

• Intraocular pressure went down by 37%
• Glaucoma medication dropped from average 1.55 to 0.35. Sixty percent (60%) of the patients who participated in this study were glaucoma medication free after surgery! Read more →  

FDA approves gene therapy for rare form of blindness

FDA Approves First-Of-Its-Kind Gene Therapy To Treat Blindness, Price Unclear But May Cost $1 Million. The injection, called Luxturna, is the first gene therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration in which a corrective gene is given directly to patients. Read more →

Don’t delay getting checked for glaucoma.

Make an appointment with an eye doctor in your area now.  If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and would like Dr. Richardson to evaluate your eyes for glaucoma call 626-289-7856 now. No referral required. Appointments are available, Tuesday through Saturday.