Glaucoma – An Exciting Change in Therapeutic Options for Patients

Science & Innovation Webinar

Webinar Recorded on Dec. 14, 2021 
Sponsored by AbbVie 

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the US.¹ It currently affects approximately 3 M people and is expected to affect more than 6M people in the US by 2050.⁴ Glaucoma often has no early symptoms, which is why 50% of patients with glaucoma do not know they have it.² Glaucoma is typically painless and visual acuity often remains unaffected until fairly advanced. That is why glaucoma is often referred to as the “Sneak Thief of Sight!”^1-2 Vision loss is progressive and irreversible, affecting peripheral vision in the early stage and central visual acuity in the late stage.¹ Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable factor that has been shown to decrease the progression in glaucoma.⁷ More than 25% of patients will have glaucomatous visual field progression within 24 months if left untreated.³ Glaucoma was associated with $5.8B in annual medical costs in 20135 with medications accounting for approximately $4.6B in annual pharmacy spend.

The Preferred Practice Patterns set by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) inform eye care providers to reduce and maintain IOP in a range to address visual field loss.¹ Some patients are still losing vision if IOP reduction are not being maintained. Possible factors include IOP fluctuations, inconsistent medication delivery, or other variables. Eye care providers often lower IOP with medications, laser therapy, and/or incisional glaucoma surgery. Topical therapy is the most common initial intervention to lower IOP. Medication choice may be influenced by potential cost, side effects, dosing schedules, and patient comorbidities. If the target IOP is not obtained, then either switching or adding medications should be considered depending on initial response to the first medication. Adequate IOP lowering requires a high level of adherence to therapy as prescribed.¹

Exciting therapeutic options in the last few years include sustained release delivery systems and a minimally invasive glaucoma (MIGs) procedure. Current therapeutic options was discussed.

Speaker:

• Richard Fiscella, PharmD, MPH
  Director of Medical Payer Strategy - Ophthalmology AbbVie/Allergan
  Clinical Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), College of Pharmacy
  Former Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, UIC

This webinar is sponsored, developed and presented by the sponsor. The content of this Science & Innovation Theater Webinar and opinions expressed by the presenters are those of the sponsor or presenters and not of AMCP. 

Sponsored by:  

References:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines. Primary open‐angle glaucoma. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2020.
2. Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html. Reviewed November 24, 2020. Accessed March 13, 2021.
3. Garway-Heath DF, Crabb DP, Bunce C, et al. Latanoprost for open-angle glaucoma (UKGTS): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;385(9975):1295-1304.
4. Glaucoma tables. National Eye Institute website. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/eye-health-data-and-statistics/glaucoma-data-and-statistics/glaucoma-tables. Updated February 7, 2020. Accessed March 14, 2021.
5. Wittenborn J, Rein D. Cost of Vision Problems: The Economic Burden of Vision Loss and Eye Disorders in the United States. NORC at the University of Chicago. 2013.
6. Data on file, Allergan. SMART NPA Monthly MAT as of November 2018.
7. Akpek EK, Smith RA. Am J Manag Care. 2013;19:S67-S75.