Study: Eye Drops May Prevent Glaucoma

Five-Year Study Examines 1,600 People

Glaucoma is a devastating disease, which if left untreated, can lead to blindness.

But a new national study found that a simple treatment may save the sight of millions. The results are published in the June issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

The five-year Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study examined more than 1,600 people ages 40 to 80 with elevated eye pressure but no signs of glaucoma.

Elevated eye pressure occurs when fluid that flows in and out of the eye drains too slowly. It is estimated that between 3 million and 6 million people in the United States -- including between 4 and 7 percent of the population older than 40 -- have elevated eye pressure and are at increased risk for developing glaucoma.

But the study revealed that by using pressure-lowering eye drops, high-risk patients could help prevent or delay the onset of the most common type of glaucoma by 50 percent.

Until now, doctors did not know if treating elevated eye pressure before glaucoma developed could delay the onset of the disease.

Glaucoma risk factors include older age, African-American descent, a thin cornea or certain kinds of optic nerve anatomy.

There are many different types of pressure-lowering eye drops on the market, so doctors can choose the safest regimen for each patient, said James Brandt from the University of California at Davis.

But researchers caution that the therapy isn't appropriate for everyone. Because some eye drops cause side effects and because daily treatment can be inconvenient and expensive, some patients may want to opt for close observation rather than active treatment, said Dr. Michael Kass, national chairman of the 22-center study and head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine.

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged, causing a loss of side vision. In most cases, increased pressure in the eye plays an important role in this damage. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows, resulting in blindness.

But if detected early, glaucoma can usually be controlled. Comprehensive eye examinations are recommended for all people over age 60, and for African-Americans over age 40.

"Glacoma is often referred to as the 'sneak thief of sight' because it often occurs with no pain or symptoms," said Dr. Ronald Gross, a professor of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Many times patients don't notice a difference in peripheral vision until the problem has progressed; therefore, it is essential to visit an ophthalmologist to detect the condition early."

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