Non-penetrating surgical options could alter the glaucoma treatment paradigm, making the current gold standard of trabeculectomy one of several possibilities for treating the disease. Landmark studies, including the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study and the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, have shown that filtration surgery has one of the best rates of significant IOP reduction among surgical glaucoma treatments. In addition, certain glaucoma subsets, such as angle-closure glaucoma and secondary glaucoma, are most effectively treated with filtration surgery.

IOPtima has received CE approval for its laser based system for noninvasive treatment of glaucoma. IOPtima’s CO2 laser system, IOPtiMate OT-134, alleviates intra-ocular pressure through a fast, simplified, efficient and cost-effective filtration procedure. This intra-ocular pressure is the primary cause of damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma patients. The approach, says IOPtima, is expected to compete as the preferred first line of glaucoma treatment.

A team of scientists from Italy found that eye drops containing nerve growth factor seem to protect optic nerve and retinal nerve cells from the damage caused by glaucoma and even restored some sight loss. The study was conducted by Dr Stefano Bonini of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome Campus Bio-Medico and Alberto Sordi Foundation and published online on Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS.

Carl Zeiss Meditec has announced the newest innovations OPMI Lumera® i Surgical Microscope and VISULAS Trion™ Combi System. These new systems include diagnostic and surgical applications covering the entire spectrum of patient care and supporting all major segments of ophthalmology, including cataract/refractive, retina and glaucoma. These innovations are designed to provide the clinician with better diagnostic and treatment options while streamlining efficiency in the practice.  OPMI Lumera® i Surgical Microscope includes a touch-screen control panel, integrated camera control and an ergonomic foot pedal whereas VISULAS Trion™ Combi System is world’s first multi-color photocoagulator.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the final approval to Hi-Tech Pharmacal Company’s dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic solution, the generic for Merck’s Cosopt®. Indicated for lessening elevated intraocular pressure in patients suffering from ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma, the generic solution will be launched in the markets soon. Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. Inc. specializes in manufacturing semi-solid and liquid dosage forms of sterile ophthalmic and inhalation products.

Scientists from the Moorfields Eye Hospital have invented a technology, Motion Displacement Test that will reduce the time taken for the detection of glaucoma. The novel technology is designed to catch one of the first symptoms of glaucoma, that is, the ability of the patient to spot speedy movement. The test is taken on a computer. The patient is asked to look at a dot in the centre which is surrounded by a number of white lines with a grey background. They are required to click a mouse when they notice a white line moving. Failure in spotting such movement indicates that they suffer from glaucoma.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion on recommendation for approval to grant a marketing authorisation for Alcon Laboratories’ Azarga 10 mg/ml / 5 mg/ml Eye drops. The suspension will be a more effective treatment of elevated intraocular pressure for adult patients suffering from ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who have not benefited much from mono-therapy.The drug is a fixed combination of Timolol and Brinzolamide. These compounds reduce the production of aqueous humor by inhibiting the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate in the eye’s ciliary body, hence controlling IOP.

Healionics Corporation has entered into a multi-year agreement in manufacturing, supply and distribution with TR BioSurgical, for use of its flagship STAR™ biomaterial scaffold in TRBIO’s TR-ClarifEYE, an implant used for treating glaucoma in animals. This implant will be out in market on a limited basis in early 2009. It relieves the elevated ocular pressure by trying to restore outflow of intraocular fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye to the surrounding vascular network. Healionics’ proprietary STAR (Sphere Templated Angiogenic Regeneration) supports the healing of implanted medical devices.

FDC Ltd. has received approval from the FDA for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution. Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution is a nonselective beta-blocking drug, used as a primary line of treatment for glaucoma.

According to a report in Archives of Ophthalmology, black patients have a higher risk of death from a cardiac disease if they suffer from high pressure in the eyes or have been diagnosed with glaucoma at some point. The study was conducted by Suh-Yuh Wu, M.A., of Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, and other colleagues, and focused mainly on black patients.