Researches of Glaucoma

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm Post in Eye Diseases

Funded by Alcon Research Ltd, a research analyzed Medicare claims and payments for glaucoma surgery between 1997 and 2006. According to results published in July 2009, the number of glaucoma surgeries was increasing and Medicare payments for these procedures were decreasing. In detail, procedure numbers and Medicare payments were in decrease from 1997 to 2000. After 2000, glaucoma procedures increased and payments from Medicare for some types of procedures decreased. According to researchers of the study, Medicare payments have long been an important component of the cost of glaucoma. Once these payments from Medicare are cut off, patients will be reluctant to receive newer technologies such as drainage devices.

Glaucoma medications deserve careful evaluation before being prescribed to pregnant women. Beta-blockers during pregnancy can be used to decrease fluid production in the eye. Women who take this medication impose no significant difference in infant weight. But other types of anti-glaucoma eye drops taken by pregnant women have been reported to cause higher risks of having low birth weight infants. Optical beta-blockers are the best drug for pregnant women for glaucoma treatment, as concluded by a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Currently, about 2% of Americans above 40 is affected by glaucoma and 10% of them have suspected glaucoma. Some researchers are working out when and how glaucoma produces disabilities. Researchers at Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University have conducted a study with 1,154 participants of an average age of 79.9, who have been asked to read text aloud. The study shows there is clear impairment in these old people in verbal and general reading skills.

The FDA approved Latisse for cosmetic uses in December 2008. Produced by Allergan Inc., the drug was originally used to control internal eye pressure to prevent potential eye damage from glaucoma. An unexpected result was that the drug was also found to bring a side effect of thicker eyelashes. After appropriate clinical trials for safety, Latisse has now been launched for cosmetic use.