EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/1344259
96 | EYEWORLD | MARCH 2021 G UCOMA F or many years, the field of glaucoma has advanced par- allel to the devel- opment of novel pharmacotherapeutics. The release of latanoprost had such a profound effect on the field that laser trabec- uloplasty rates in the U.S. dropped for 5 years after latanoprost was approved, recovering only years later with the adoption of selective laser trabeculoplasty. I often feel fortunate when I compare glaucoma management to the man- agement of hypertension where treatment is comprised of only medicinal therapy. With six classes of IOP-lowering therapies currently avail- able, the field has matured pharmacologically, and although topical therapy remains critical, in some ways glaucoma management is moving in a new direction. Like the pharmacological movement before it, the field's new movement is being led by technological advances in surgical instrumentation, surgical stent development, laser therapy, and drug delivery. In this issue, you will read about many aspects of glaucoma's new direction. This movement is based on a rec- ognition that ideal glaucoma therapies would be physician delivered, as well as safe and effective. Our understanding of the harmful role of non-compliance and the poor ocular surface tolerability of eye drops has driven us to seek these novel approaches. In this section, we will hear about the early experience with Durysta (bimatoprost implant, Allergan) and how other sustained therapies can benefit the glaucoma patient following cataract surgery. We also reflect on our world amid the COVID-19 pandemic and learn about how glaucoma care can be streamlined to keep everyone safe. I invite you to learn about glaucoma's future and celebrate you for keeping an open mind as we discuss ideas that challenge our former paradigms. The good news is that the pa- tient's quality of life remains front and center. by Nathan Radcliffe, MD Glaucoma Editor Glaucoma's new direction In partnership with leading academic institutions ASCRS is pleased to announce a new effort to bring the best and brightest in ophthalmic teaching to members. ASCRS Grand Rounds is a virtual, complimentary CME offering exclusive to ASCRS membership that brings the experience of a live grand rounds to your home or office. ASCRS has partnered with major academic institutions to present a monthly series of vir tual grand rounds, each approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. View during a pre-scheduled time to engage with the speakers or view on demand at your convenience. Visit ascrs.org to view the 2021 ASCRS Grand Round schedule. Terry Kim, MD Sumitra Khandelwal, MD Moderators