Justin Cooper
2026-01-20 15:35:00
January 20, 2026
3 min read
A renewed focus on glaucoma comes with each new year, as January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Glaucoma has been estimated to affect more than 4 million U.S. adults, silently progressing without symptoms and potentially leading to blindness, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. A comprehensive eye exam can detect it early and allow for treatment to slow progression, but there is no cure.
A renewed focus on glaucoma comes with each new year, as January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Image: Adobe Stock
“That’s why access to affordable quality eye care is essential for everyone,” Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, said in a press release.
Here are Healio’s top 10 glaucoma stories from the past year.
Ptosis, strabismus most common after glaucoma surgery involving muscle isolation
Ptosis and strabismus rarely occur after glaucoma surgery, but they predominantly occur after surgery involving muscle isolation, according to a study published in PLoS One. Lisa M. Young, OD, FAAO, breaks down the implications of this “important cautionary signal.” Read more.
Omidenepag isopropyl lowers IOP over 5 years
Omidenepag isopropyl led to significant IOP reductions that were sustained over the course of 5 years in patients with glaucoma, according to a study published in Cureus. At the end of the study, this monotherapy was still considered feasible in nearly three-fourths of patients. Read more.
Physical activity slows visual field loss in glaucoma
Slower visual field loss in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was linked to greater physical activity, suggesting opportunities for lifestyle modification, according to a study published in Journal of Glaucoma. Mark Eltis, OD, FAAO, explains how clinicians can incorporate this into their care. Read more.
Patient wealth tied to outcomes following glaucoma diagnosis
The personal wealth of patients newly diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma is significantly linked with their outcomes 12 to 18 months later, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Eltis shares his perspective on this “often-unspoken truth in glaucoma care.” Read more.
Oral therapy for glaucoma, dry AMD passes phase 1 milestone with promising results
Galimedix Therapeutics completed the single ascending dose part of a phase 1 study of GAL-101, a potential oral therapy under investigation for the treatment of glaucoma and dry age-related macular degeneration. A phase 2 was also set to evaluate an eye drop form of GAL-101 in dry AMD. Read more.
Patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension unaware of preservative-free treatments
In a survey, nearly two-thirds of patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension were unaware of preservative-free topical treatment options, according to survey results presented at Academy 2025. Study author Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, discusses “‘aha’ moments” in the data. Read more.
Poorer driving, more collisions observed with glaucomatous visual field defects
Poorer driving performance and greater odds for collision are seen in patients with bilateral glaucoma and more severe glaucomatous visual field defects, according to a study published in Journal of Glaucoma. Andrew Rixon, OD, FAAO, writes that this is “a must read for any conscientious glaucoma provider.” Read more.
Risk for uveitis lowest with prostaglandin analogs in large study of glaucoma therapies
Prostaglandin analogs were associated with a lower risk for uveitis compared with other topical glaucoma medications, according to a retrospective study of more than 64,000 patients published in Ophthalmology Glaucoma. This calls common perceptions about this drug class into question, Joe L. Wheat, OD, PhD, FAAO, wrote in a perspective. Read more.
Combination SLT, resveratrol supplementation improves optic nerve health in glaucoma
Resveratrol supplementation with selective laser trabeculoplasty may be an effective treatment option for glaucoma by reducing IOP and offering neuroprotective benefits, according to a paper published in Open Journal of Ophthalmology. Caitlyn Williams, OD, MPH, FAAO, explores how glaucoma might soon be treated beyond lowering IOP. Read more.
UK retrospective study: SLT by optometrists safe
Optometrists can safely perform selective laser trabeculoplasty, with 2.2% of eyes experiencing adverse events, according to a retrospective study published in Eye. Young gives her perspective on how team-based care models, in which optometrists can perform SLT, could improve patient outcomes. Read more.
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