medical management of glaucoma Flashcards
how do we treat glaucoma
reduce IOP
Every treatment we use decreases the IOPs cause thats the only thing we know that works
what is “neuroprotection”
idea that protects the nerve from damage - nothing proven yet
what is the target IOP for glaucoma management for mild moderate and severe damage
Mild damage 30% reduction from baseline
Moderate damage 35%
Severe damage 35-40%
Target IOP needs to be reviewed regularly to consider effectiveness of treatment - rate of progression informs next stage of patient management
we would not record target IOPs for legal reasons
how are aims made for glaucoma tx
need to be realistic, consider patients age, we want to slow down glaucoma enough so it doesnt have as much as an effect on the patient in their lifetime
Tx options for glaucoma
Topical hypotensives (monotherapy to maximal therapy)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
YAG laser peripheral iridotomy if narrow angles
Trabeculectomy
Deep Sclerectomy
oral acetazolamide
Angle Surgery (Phaco, istent, trabectome, canaloplasty)
Cyclodiode Laser Ciliary Ablation
Tube or valve surgery
why are patients not given more than one type of glaucoma drop from the same therapeutic class
Patients are only ever on one drug from a therapeutic class at any given time, as to combine the same therapeutic class would give no increased effect, as drugs in the same class are acting on the same receptors
can be given combined drugs from different therapeutic class
6 classes of topical IOP lowering drugs
-Prostaglandin analogue/prostamide
-Beta blocker
-Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
-Alpha 2 agonist
-Miotic
-ROCK inhibitor
order of prescribing, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
1st Line: Prostaglandin analogue (generic latanoprost per NICE CG81)
2nd Line: beta blocker OR carbonic anhydrase inhibitor OR alpha agonist
3rd Line: as for 2nd line, add from a different therapeutic class
4th Line: used rarely but as for 3rd line, or pilocarpine in some cases
what were the NICE guidelines updates to in 2022 for glaucoma tx
recommend selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as first line treatment for newly diagnosed OHT and glaucoma rather than topical treatment
Doesn’t happen right now because we don’t have lasers and not enough people to work the lasers, doesn’t have the compliance problems or side effects of the drops
examples of Prostaglandin Analogues
Latanoprost (Xalatan) od
Travoprost (Travatan) od
Bimatoprost 0.01/0.03% (Lumigan) od
Tafluprost (Saflutan) od
mechanism of action for prostaglandin analogue
(Prostaglandins are pro inflammatory molecules
They are produced when arachidonic acid is metabolized by COX 1 and 2 enzymes
Prostaglandin analogues act at F2-alpha receptors in ciliary muscle)
Increase aqueous outflow via uveoscleral route by inducing ciliary muscle relaxation
25-35% reduction in IOP
dosage for prostaglandin analogues
time till max effect
once a day - at night
3-5 weeks for max effect, inital effect after 2 hours
Prostaglandin Analogues - Contraindications
Uveitis
Cystoid Macular Oedema (CMO)
Relative contraindication in pseudophakic and aphakic patients (due to risk of CMO)
Recurrent herpes simplex keratitis (reactivation)
Not used in pregnancy due to potential effect of prostaglandin on the uterus
Prostaglandin Analogues - Side Effects
-Mild conjunctival hyperaemia ( up to 40%)
-Mild punctate keratopathy
-Foreign body sensation
-Ocular irritation
-Increased iris pigmentation (20%)
-Lengthening of eyelashes
-Cystoid macular oedema (pseudo or aphakic)
-Reactivation of herpes simplex keratitis
-Very rarely exacerbation of asthma
-Exacerbation of uveitis
-Lower Lid skin hyperpigmentation (rarely orbital fat atrophy)
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors drug examples and % of effect on IOP
Dorzolamide (trusopt) bd/tds
Brinzolamide (azopt) bd
~20% reduction in IOP
Drops are in suspension form, so need to be shaken before use
