2018-03-28T12:01:00
(BPT) – Did you know that according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, and about half of them don’t even realize they have it? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it is asymptomatic and painless, and can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. However, those who are aware of their glaucoma may feel the pressure of managing their condition.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) characterizes glaucoma as damage to the eye’s optic nerve that can result in vision loss. This can occur when fluid build-up increases the intraocular eye pressure (IOP) to a point that can no longer be tolerated by the optic nerve, causing irreversible damage. As the disease progresses, Kellogg Eye Center reports patients may lose their peripheral vision, and experience tunnel vision, blind spots or even complete blindness.
The burden of managing the condition may be frustrating, seemingly unnecessary and cumbersome. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it has to be managed for life. However, the nerve damage caused by increased IOP could have no symptoms, which makes adhering to a treatment schedule a struggle for many. The GRF reports that research has shown approximately 40 percent of patients do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them.
“The daily adherence to strict treatment regimens is overwhelming for many patients suffering from increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma,” said Dr. Brian Flowers* of Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. “Patients should work closely with their eye care provider to determine a schedule that works for them, or to discuss surgical options that may help reduce dependence on daily drops.”
Alcon, the global leader in eye care, offers the following tips that may help relieve the pressure of daily treatment regimens for their IOP.
- Visit your doctor for a regular eye screening. Since the condition can silently progress, only experts can appropriately diagnose and treat this “silent thief of sight,” while providing guidance on treatment that may work best for you.
- Follow a schedule that works best for you. Be sure to take your medication exactly as directed, by setting reminders or timers, according to the GRF. Consult your doctor on the best way to manage your medication schedule, on your terms.
- Consider one of the microinvasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) options that may reduce your need for glaucoma medications. For those with increased IOP associated with mild-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma and undergoing cataract surgery, the CyPass® Micro-Stent from Alcon is an innovative option that not only can ease the pressure in your eyes, but may also help reduce daily dependence on topical glaucoma medications. Talk to your doctor to see if this option is right for you.
“The first step to easing the pressure caused by glaucoma is becoming informed, and knowing to visit your doctor regularly so that you can be diagnosed as early as possible,” said Dr. Randy Craven* of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “After being diagnosed, work with your doctor to consider your options so you can continue to live your life fully despite the condition.”
Considering your personal lifestyle when deciding your course of treatment is key to easing the pressure due to glaucoma, and will help you and your doctor decide the best path forward, and whether a MIGS option, such as CyPass® Micro-Stent, could be right for you.
Visit MyCyPass.com for more information about how you can lower your eye pressure at the same time as cataract surgery and to find a CyPass® Micro-Stent surgeon in your local area.
CyPass® Micro-Stent Important Product Information
INDICATION: The CyPass® Micro-Stent is used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who are undergoing cataract surgery.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CyPass® Micro-Stent should not be used if:
- You have a type of glaucoma other than primary open-angle glaucoma
- Your eye anatomy or condition is unusual; for instance, if the area in your eye is too narrow to implant the CyPass® Micro-Stent, or if there is a condition that may prevent your eye surgeon from seeing where the CyPass® Micro-Stent will be implanted
PRECAUTIONS: Your eye surgeon will monitor you after surgery to make sure your eye pressure is controlled. If it is not, your eye surgeon may recommend appropriate medication or other treatment to control your eye pressure. The safety and effectiveness of use of more than a single CyPass® Micro-Stent has not been established. The CyPass® Micro-Stent has not been shown to be an alternative to treatment of glaucoma with medicine.
ADVERSE EVENTS: The CyPass® Micro-Stent was studied in a clinical trial to compare the performance of cataract surgery with the CyPass® Micro-Stent to cataract surgery alone (without the CyPass® Micro-Stent). In this study, the most common adverse events in both groups included: significant loss of corrected vision (8.8% for the CyPass® Micro-Stent vs 15.3% for cataract surgery only); visual field disturbances requiring steroid eye drops 30 or more days after surgery (8.6% vs 3.8%); significant worsening of visual field (6.7% vs 9.9%); significant increases in intraocular pressure 30 or more days after surgery (4.3% vs 2.3%); and eye swelling either 30 or more days after surgery, or severe in nature (3.5% vs 1.5%).
The CyPass® Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device.
Talk to your eye doctor to see if the CyPass® Micro-Stent is right for you.
*This release was provided by Alcon and Drs. Craven and Flowers are paid consultants.
