Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco, of Queen’s University Belfast, has outlined potential emerging treatments for glaucoma.
In conversation with OT at the Hospital and Specialty Optometrists Conference (HSOC), Azuara-Blanco highlighted that the importance of finding therapies that are not related to intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction.
He noted that some people on existing treatments for glaucoma continue to see disease progression.
“We need to find better treatments because there remains an unmet need,” Azuara-Blanco shared.
During his presentation at HSOC, Azuara-Blanco highlighted that some patients will experience a deterioration in their condition despite low IOP.
“We are not able to predict who is going to get worse,” he said.
Azuara-Blanco outlined the potential role of nicotinamide, or vitamin B3, in glaucoma treatment.
He added that a large trial using nicotinamide is currently underway at Moorfields Eye Hospital, with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
“It is safe, it is well-tolerated and it is not expensive,” Azuara-Blanco said.
Azuara-Blanco noted that cannabinoids have a profound effect on lowering intraocular pressure.
He added that Queen’s University Belfast is starting a 10-person trial using oral synthetic cannabinoids for the treatment of glaucoma.
