Innovation in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second worldwide cause of irreversible visual loss and the first one among black communities. Until some years ago, the options for treatment of this very complex disease were few, and physicians involved in the management of patients affected by it were frustrated by the relatively limited options available. In recent years, the overall management of this disease has been improved by many enhancements. For example, more sophisticated devices are able to measure the retinal nerve fiber layer, aiming to detect alterations before standardized automatic perimetry. New kinds of tonometers have also been introduced in order to accurately measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) in more complicated eyes.

Today, physicians have more options regarding medical therapy, with new molecules and new formulations. Moreover, the strategy of treatment is not just to reduce IOP but, more evidence suggests, to add a neuro-enhancement therapy to stabilize the visual field defects. The surgical options have increased, together with trabeculectomy, and new devices are currently used to reduce the risks and complications related to the surgery. The scope of this special issue is to include the studies that show the new options that physicians have in glaucoma diagnosis, treatment, and overall management of this complex disease.

The scope of this special issue is to publish original articles showing how to handle the most important innovations observed in the last year about the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and to open new roads in the overall management of this disease.