It’s Time to Knock Glaucoma Down a Few Pegs

Glaucoma remains a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and, despite its prevalence, the silent thief of sight often goes unnoticed until significant vision loss occurs. This is our call to action. In our modern optometric practices, there is much to consider when it comes to the patient with glaucoma, including their quality of life. This issue is chock-full of useful information for ongoing management of these patients. Diagnosis and long-term management are more critical and nuanced now than ever.

One of the greatest hurdles for patients with glaucoma is adherence to therapy once diagnosed. For us, the disease’s asymptomatic nature challenges diagnosis. Advances in OCT have revolutionized our ability to detect subtle structural changes before functional loss becomes apparent. Integrating these technologies into routine practice can significantly improve early, accurate diagnosis rates.

The paradigm shift toward interventional glaucoma management underscores the importance of staying abreast of therapeutic advances, fostering comanagement relationships, and intervening as early as possible.

Glaucoma care in modern optometry is exciting. With evolving technology and expanding practice scopes, we have unprecedented opportunities to make a meaningful difference. But with these opportunities comes the responsibility to remain informed, proactive, and patient-centered. Together, we can redefine the standard of care for glaucoma, preserving vision and improving lives for generations to come. Happy reading!

— Selina McGee, OD, FAAO