The Association between Medication Adherence and Visual Field Progression in the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study

Devices and Treatments to Address Low Adherence in Glaucoma Patients: A Narrative Review

Poor adherence to topical glaucoma medications has been linked to worse visual field outcomes in glaucoma patients. Therefore, identifying and overcoming the adherence barriers are expected to slow down the progression of disease. The most common barriers to adherence, in addition to the lack of knowledge, include forgetfulness, side effects of medications, difficulties with drop instillation and low self-efficacy. Symptoms and signs of ocular surface disease, which importantly reduce patients' quality of life, are decreased by using preservative-free topical medications. Sustained drug delivery systems using different vehicles seem promising for relieving the burden of drop administration. Currently, only the bimatoprost sustained-release intracameral implant is available for clinical use and single administration. In the era of digitalization, smart drug delivery-connected devices may aid adherence and, by sharing data with care providers, improve monitoring and adjusting treatment. Selective laser trabeculoplasty as first-line treatment delays the need for drops, whereas minimally invasive glaucoma procedures with and without devices combined with cataract surgery increase the likelihood of patients with early-to-moderate glaucoma to remain drop free or reduce the number of drops needed to control intraocular pressure. The aim of this narrative review is to present and discuss devices and treatments that may improve adherence by reducing the need for drops and side effects of medications and aiding in glaucoma monitoring. For the future, there is a need for studies focusing on clinically important outcomes, quality of life and the cost of intervention with longer post-interventional follow up.

Within-Trial Cost-Effectiveness of an Adherence-Enhancing Educational Intervention for Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To assess the within-trial cost-effectiveness of a behavioral intervention to improve glaucoma medication adherence.

DESIGN

Prospective cost-effectiveness analysis of randomized, controlled trial data.

METHODS

The study setting was a Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic. The patient population comprised veterans with medically treated glaucoma and self-reported poor adherence. Participants were randomized to a personalized educational session with a reminder bottle to promote medication adherence or to a control session on general eye health. Costs were assessed from the perspective of the VA payor at 6 months using the VA Managerial Cost Accounting System. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted using bootstrapped samples. The main outcome measures were the proportion of participants attaining ≥80% adherence as measured by electronic monitor, total intervention and medical resource costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios comparing intervention to control at 6 months.

RESULTS

Of 200 randomized participants, 95 of 100 assigned to the intervention and 97 of 100 assigned to the control had adherence outcomes at 6 months, and the proportion of adherent patients was higher in the intervention group compared to control (0.78 vs 0.40, P < .0001). All participants had costs at 6 months. The total cost at 6 months was $1,149,600 in the intervention group (n = 100) compared to $1,298,700 in the control group (n = 100). Thus, in a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients, the intervention was associated with cost savings (-$149,100) and resulted in 38 additional patients achieving medication adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

An adherence-enhancing behavioral intervention was effective and cost saving at 6 months.

Interventions for Glaucoma Medication Adherence Improvement: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

TOPIC

Comparative effectiveness of interventions to improve glaucoma medication adherence.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

High adherence to ocular hypotensive therapy is essential for prevention of visual impairment in glaucoma patients. Various types of intervention for adherence enhancement have been proposed, although there is still no firm evidence of their relative efficacies.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov on November 30, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) entailing interventions for improved adherence to ocular hypotensive therapy were identified. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed, and the following 11 interventions (single category or combinations of categories) were compared: (1) standard of care ([SOC] control), (2) short message service, (3) telephone call, (4) device reminder, (5) motivational interview, (6) multimedia education, (7) physician education, (8) provision of own medical records, (9) incentives, (10) tailored care, and (11) enhanced SOC. The primary outcome was the postintervention mean adherence score. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) were analyzed, and the effectiveness was ranked by P-score (probability of being best treatment). We appraised trials using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs. Confidence of results was assessed by Confidence in Network Meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We obtained data for 19 RCTs (4981 participants). Tailored care, as inclusive of face-to-face needs assessment and a personalized care plan, was superior to SOC in improving adherence (SMD, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-2.48; P-score, 0.810). Multifaceted interventions that included tailored care showed further adherence improvement: tailored care + multimedia education (SMD, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.20-2.67; 0.850) and tailored care + multimedia education + device reminder (SMD, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.75-2.47; 0.914). The ranking of the remaining interventions by P-scores was as follows: incentives (0.606), short message service (0.535), enhanced SOC (0.458), multimedia education (0.430), device reminder (0.429), telephone call (0.401), provision of own medical records (0.391), physician education (0.281), SOC (0.230), and motivational interview (0.165).

CONCLUSIONS

The NMA indicated that tailored care can improve adherence to glaucoma medication compared with SOC. A multifaceted approach might yield additional improvements.

Energy Dose-Response in Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty: A Review

PRCIS

A literature review of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) energy dose-response found no definitive relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction with respect to total or pulse energy, race, pigmentation, or application pattern.

PURPOSE

SLT is a safe and effective treatment for lowering IOP. Although evidence is mounting for the advantage of its use as a first-line treatment for IOP reduction, the SLT procedures in use vary widely. The purpose of this literature review was to investigate whether there were any relationships between SLT energy and efficacy for lowering IOP in the published literature.

METHODS

A literature review was undertaken that included studies in which energy levels required for successful SLT treatment were investigated: in general, with respect to angle pigmentation, race or ethnicity, and treatment arc extent.

RESULTS

There was no indication that higher (or lower) energy used in the treatment leads to greater (or less) IOP reduction. Similar results were obtained regarding the level of trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Race was not found to be associated with altered dose response in SLT. There were indications that treating the full 360 degrees, as opposed to smaller arcs, could be beneficial for more IOP reduction. IOP reduction from SLT was found to be similar to that provided by topical medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal energy level of SLT needed for IOP reduction has not yet been definitively established, with all reported pulse energies resulting in similar IOP reduction. Furthermore, similar lack of conclusive findings exists regarding optimal SLT energy dosage for use in different races and degrees of trabecular meshwork pigmentation. This parameter and each of the abovementioned factors requires further research.

A Randomized, Double-Masked, Active-Controlled, Crossover Phase III Equivalence Study of Generic Dorzolamide 2% versus Innovator Trusopt® Eye Drop Solution in Subjects with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension

Background

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the equivalence of generic dorzolamide 2% eye drops solution versus the innovator formulation (Trusopt® eye drops solution) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods

This prospective, monocentric, double-masked, active-controlled crossover phase III study included 32 patients. After washout, patients were randomized to reference product (Trusopt®) or test product (dorzolamide 2% eye drops, Rompharm Company SRL) for a 4-week period. Subsequent washout and crossover were performed. Drops were applied t.i.d. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in mean diurnal IOP. Goldmann applanation tonometry was performed at 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm at each visit, and safety was assessed by documentation of adverse events (AEs). Therapy adherence was documented by self-reporting and eye drop bottle weighing. An ANOVA with treatment, sequence, study period, and patient within the sequence as effects was performed and an additional post hoc ANCOVA including the baseline IOP was also performed.

Results

34 patients were randomized and analyzed in the safety population. The per-protocol population included 32 patients. According to the self-report, all patients were >80% compliant. Under the ANCOVA model, the 90% confidence interval for the average change of the IOP −0.27 mmHg (−1.17 mmHg–0.64 mmHg) is included by the acceptance range −1.5 mmHg to +1.5 mmHg after excluding 2 patients, which had falsely reported high therapy adherence. No clinically relevant difference was observed in frequency or severity of the AEs between both treatments.

Conclusions

This study showed the equivalence of the tested generic dorzolamide 2% eye drops solution to the reference product Trusopt® eye drops solution. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with (ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT00878917) on April 9, 2009).

The medication adherence among glaucoma patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Croatia

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the level of treatment adherence and identify predictors of adherence in glaucoma patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Zagreb, Croatia.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted among primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, between 1st April 2020 and 1st April 2021. The sociodemographic data, clinical, and drug information were recorded. The treatment adherence was assessed through a self-administered questionnaire, the Culig Adherence Scale (CAS). Statistical analyses were performed using TIBCO Statistica™ 14.0.0.

RESULTS

113 POAG patients (48M/65F) with a mean age of 65.89 ± 8.53 years were included in this study. According to the CAS, only 39.8% of patients adhered to topical glaucoma treatment. Educational level was positively related to adherence to treatment (p = 0.022). The main predictors for adherence were the patients' positive attitude towards the drug's effect, family support, and good relationship with the healthcare providers (p < 0.05, respectively). The majority of patients stated forgetfulness as the main reason for skipping drug dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-adherence to treatment was prevalent among patients with POAG during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zagreb, Croatia. Personal beliefs and attitudes towards treatment, family support, and patient-healthcare provider relationship were significant predictors of adherence. Special consideration should be given to the whole health system-level strategies targeting the adherence to treatment, especially in crises, in order to achieve positive therapeutic outcomes.The study protocol was registered in the DRKS - German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID: DRKS00022081.

Outcomes of XEN 63 Device at 18-Month Follow-Up in Glaucoma Patients: A Two-Center Retrospective Study

Background: Glaucoma surgery has significantly evolved over the last years. This paper aims to evaluate the midterm clinical outcomes of the XEN63 device in a real-world scenario. Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent an XEN63 implant insertion, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification. The primary endpoint was the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at the month 18 visit. Results: Twenty-three eyes (23 patients) were included in the analysis. The preoperative IOP was significantly lowered from 27.0 ± 7.8 mmHg to 14.1 ± 3.4 mmHg at month 18 (p < 0.0001). At month 18, 14 (77.8%) and 11 (61.1%) eyes had an IOP ≤ 16 mmHg and ≤ 14 mmHg, respectively, without ocular hypotensive medication. The mean number of ocular hypotensive medication taken was significantly reduced from 2.3 ± 0.9 drugs at baseline to 1.0 ± 1.4 drugs at month 18 (p = 0.0020). Four (17.4%) eyes had hypotony at postoperative day 1, which was successfully resolved without sequelae. Four (17.4%) eyes underwent a needling procedure and four (17.4%) eyes underwent additional surgeries. Conclusions: The XEN63, either alone or in combination with cataract surgery, significantly lowered the IOP and reduced the need for ocular hypotensive drugs over a period of 18 months.

Deep Learning Approaches for Predicting Glaucoma Progression Using Electronic Health Records and Natural Language Processing

Purpose

Advances in artificial intelligence have produced a few predictive models in glaucoma, including a logistic regression model predicting glaucoma progression to surgery. However, uncertainty exists regarding how to integrate the wealth of information in free-text clinical notes. The purpose of this study was to predict glaucoma progression requiring surgery using deep learning (DL) approaches on data from electronic health records (EHRs), including features from structured clinical data and from natural language processing of clinical free-text notes.

Design

Development of DL predictive model in an observational cohort.

Participants

Adult patients with glaucoma at a single center treated from 2008 through 2020.

Methods

Ophthalmology clinical notes of patients with glaucoma were identified from EHRs. Available structured data included patient demographic information, diagnosis codes, prior surgeries, and clinical information including intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and central corneal thickness. In addition, words from patients’ first 120 days of notes were mapped to ophthalmology domain-specific neural word embeddings trained on PubMed ophthalmology abstracts. Word embeddings and structured clinical data were used as inputs to DL models to predict subsequent glaucoma surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

Evaluation metrics included area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and F1 score, the harmonic mean of positive predictive value, and sensitivity on a held-out test set.

Results

Seven hundred forty-eight of 4512 patients with glaucoma underwent surgery. The model that incorporated both structured clinical features as well as input features from clinical notes achieved an AUC of 73% and F1 of 40%, compared with only structured clinical features, (AUC, 66%; F1, 34%) and only clinical free-text features (AUC, 70%; F1, 42%). All models outperformed predictions from a glaucoma specialist’s review of clinical notes (F1, 29.5%).

Conclusions

We can successfully predict which patients with glaucoma will need surgery using DL models on EHRs unstructured text. Models incorporating free-text data outperformed those using only structured inputs. Future predictive models using EHRs should make use of information from within clinical free-text notes to improve predictive performance. Additional research is needed to investigate optimal methods of incorporating imaging data into future predictive models as well.

Single Administration of Intracameral Bimatoprost Implant 10 µg in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension

Introduction

This study evaluated the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety of a single intracameral administration of bimatoprost implant 10 µg in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods

Two identically designed, randomized, 20-month, parallel-group, phase 3 clinical trials (one study eye/patient) compared three administrations of 10- or 15-µg bimatoprost implant (day 1, weeks 16 and 32) with twice-daily topical timolol maleate 0.5%. An open-label, 24-month, phase 1/2 clinical trial compared one or two implants administered in the study eye with once-daily topical bimatoprost 0.03% in the fellow eye. Separate analyses of the pooled phase 3 and phase 1/2 study datasets evaluated outcomes in the 10-µg bimatoprost implant and comparator treatment arms after a single implant administration, up to the time of implant re-administration or rescue with IOP-lowering medication.

Results

In the phase 3 studies, 10-µg bimatoprost implant single administration demonstrated IOP reductions (hour 0) of 4.9–7.0 mmHg through week 15 from a mean (standard deviation, SD) baseline IOP of 24.5 (2.6) mmHg (n = 374); IOP in the topical timolol BID group was reduced by 6.0–6.3 mmHg from a mean (SD) baseline IOP of 24.5 (2.6) mmHg (n = 373). In the phase 1/2 study (n = 21), median time to use of additional IOP-lowering treatment (Kaplan–Meier analysis) was 273 days (approximately 9 months), and 5 of 21 enrolled patients (23.8%) required no additional IOP-lowering treatment up to 24 months after single administration. In each study, after a single implant administration there were no reports of corneal edema, corneal endothelial cell loss, or corneal touch, and no patients had 20% or greater loss in corneal endothelial cell density.

Conclusions

Bimatoprost implant single administration lowers IOP and has a favorable safety profile. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the duration of effect and factors predicting long-term IOP lowering after a single implant administration.

Trial registration numbers

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02247804, NCT02250651, and NCT01157364.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-022-00527-6.

Whitecoat Adherence in Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose

Whitecoat adherence refers to improved medication adherence in the days surrounding clinic visits. This may lead to clinical measures that are not representative of those outside of clinical encounters. In glaucoma, whitecoat adherence to prescribed hypotensive therapy may lead to intraocular pressure readings within the target range, which may impact clinical decision-making. We aimed to quantify and identify factors associated with whitecoat adherence.

Methods

In this cohort study, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were selected from an ongoing longitudinal NIH-funded study if they used hypotensive eyedrops, had a clinic visit during the parent study, and had adherence data during the 28 days evenly bracketing the clinic visit. Adherence within the implementation phase was measured using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps. Wilcoxon tests were used to compare mean adherence between the following periods: Pre14-4 (days 14 to 4 preceding the clinic visit) and Pre3-1 (days 3 to 1 preceding the visit); Post1-3 (days 1 to 3 following the clinic visit) and Post4-14 (days 4 to 14 following the visit). Analyses were performed in the full sample and in patients with optimal (≥80%, n = 49) and suboptimal adherence (<80%, n = 17).

Results

Sixty-six patients were included, of which 51.5% were female. Mean age was 70.8 ± 8.1 years. In the 6 months evenly bracketing the clinic visit, mean and median adherence were 86.3% (standard deviation = 17.7) and 95.6% (interquartile range = 21.2), respectively. Overall, mean adherence increased from Pre14-4 to Pre3-1 (85.5% ± 21.2 to 88.5% ± 23.2, p = 0.01) and decreased from Post1-3 to Post4-14 (87.0 ± 23.9 to 84.9 ± 23.3, p = 0.02). In patients with optimal adherence, adherence increased from Pre14-4 to Pre3-1 (94.0 ± 11.7 to 97.7 ± 7.4, p = 0.001) and from Post1-3 to Post4-14 (95.2 ± 12.0 to 95.4 ± 5.7, p = 0.007). Whitecoat adherence was not observed in patients with suboptimal adherence.

Conclusion

We documented the presence of whitecoat adherence in this cohort. Due to its potential impact on clinical outcomes and decisions, providers should remain vigilant for this phenomenon and prioritize it during patient-provider discussions.

Cost-Utility Analysis of STN1013001, a Latanoprost Cationic Emulsion, versus Other Latanoprost Formulations (Latanoprost) in Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension and Ocular Surface Disease in France

Purpose

To investigate the cost utility of STN1013001, a latanoprost cationic emulsion, versus Latanoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OAG/OHT) and concomitant ocular surface disease (OSD) in France.

Methods

An early Markov model, including 7 health states and a 1-year cycle length, was developed to estimate the cost utility of STN1013001 versus Latanoprost from the French health system perspective over a 5-year time horizon. The model was populated with pooled data (treatment adherence, quality of life, disease progression, and resource utilization) collected, via a questionnaire, from a convenience sample of 5 French glaucoma specialists. Remaining data were retrieved from published sources. Half-cycle correction and 2.5% real social discount rate were applied to costs (in €2020), life years saved (LYS), and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was contrasted against the informal willingness-to-pay (WTP) range for incremental LYS or QALY gained (€30,000–€50,000) suggested for France. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses tested the robustness of the baseline ICUR.

Results

Over a 5-year time horizon, STN1013001 resulted in an incremental 0.35 QALYs gained at an incremental cost of €7.39 compared to Latanoprost, resulting in an ICUR of €21.26. This is well below the lower limit of the unofficial WTP range proposed for France. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the baseline results.

Conclusion

Once on the market, STN1013001 will provide the French health system with a cost-effective treatment versus Latanoprost for OAG/OHT + OSD patients. These results should be confirmed by future economic evaluations carried out alongside empirical trials.

Readability and Suitability of Online Glaucoma Patient Education Materials

PURPOSE

To assess the quality, content, readability, and accountability of information found online for glaucoma.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

13 websites containing glaucoma patient education materials were analyzed for this study.

METHODS

An online Google search was conducted using the keyword glaucoma. 13 medical website results were selected for analysis. Each website was assessed by three independent reviewers for suitability, readability, and accountability. The standardized Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool was used to evaluate the quality and content of information on each website. The Flesch reading ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index (SMOG), Automated Readability Index (ARI), and Linsear Write Formula (LWF) scores were used to assess readability of the websites. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Accountability Benchmarks were used to evaluate each website's accountability.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SAM score, FRE, FKGL, CLI, SMOG, ARI, LWF scores, and JAMA Accountability Benchmarks.

RESULTS

The average SAM score for all the websites included in this study was 18 points out of a possible 34 points. Eyewiki.org was the lowest scoring website (11.7 ± 0.6 points), while aao.org and nei.nih.gov were the highest scoring websites (26.0 ± 1.0 points and 26.0 ± 2.6 points, respectively). Three content graders in this study were in moderate agreement (kappa statistic = 0.59). The average Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) scores among all websites was 47.0 (95% confidence interval (CI), 39.3 - 54.7). The average reading grade score among all websites was 11.2 (95% CI, 10.0 - 12.4). Two of the thirteen websites (15.4%) satisfied all 4 JAMA accountability criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variation in the content and quality of freely available online glaucoma education material. The material is generally either not suitable or only adequate for use. Most websites reviewed are written at a reading grade level higher than that recommended for patient education materials.

Association of the Effectiveness of Eye Drop Self-instillation and Glaucoma Progression

PRCIS

Among patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, ineffective self-instillation of eye drops was associated with an increased long-term risk of progression or advancement of treatment to incisional surgery.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the efficacy of self-instillation of eye drops and long-term glaucoma outcomes.

METHODS

In a previous study, video recordings of eye drop self-instillation by patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension were graded as effective or ineffective depending on whether the patient successfully instilled at least 1 drop on the right ocular surface. Glaucomatous progression was then retrospectively defined as retinal nerve fiber layer thinning as measured by either optical coherence tomography, visual field progression, or need for incisional glaucoma surgery as determined by a glaucoma specialist unaware of patient performance in the eye drop instillation study. Subjects with at least 2 follow-up optical coherence tomography or visual field studies were included in the current study.

RESULTS

The original study enrolled 119 patients. Sufficient follow-up data were available for 101 patients. Eighty-eight patients (87.1%) were effective in eye drop instillation at baseline. Mean follow-up was 5.1 years, during which time 73 patients (72.3%) had progression or underwent incisional surgery in either eye. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the ineffective group met the criteria for progression or underwent incisional surgery (effective: 68.2%; ineffective: 100%; N=101; P=0.017, Fisher exact test). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed a significantly faster time to reaching an endpoint in the ineffective group (N=101; P=0.012, log-rank test). There was no difference in age, baseline intraocular pressure, or baseline retinal nerve fiber layer thickness between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Ineffective self-installation of eye drops was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma progression or treatment advancement to incisional surgery.

Medical therapy for glaucoma: A review

A number of pharmacological targets are exploited to modify the parameters in the Goldmann equation and reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP). This strategy constitutes the foundation for the medical management of glaucoma, the evolution of which, until only recently, has been in relative stagnation. A burst of innovation has produced new ocular hypotensive drugs and long-acting delivery methods, including intracameral delivery, which are expanding the clinician's medical armamentarium. A number of IOP-independent neuroprotection strategies have shown strong potential in animal models of glaucoma, but translational attempts have been surprisingly limited. However, while pharmacological options are expanding, the traditional role of topical medical therapy is being challenged by selective laser trabeculoplasty, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, and sustained delivery methods. A scientifically rigorous assessment of new treatments will be critical to empower clinicians with evidence-based information to optimise vision preservation and quality of life outcomes for their patients.

Phase 2b, Randomized, 3-Month, Dose-Finding Study of Sepetaprost in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: The ANGEL Study

Purpose:

This phase 2b, randomized, observer-masked, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group, multinational (USA and Japan), multicenter study (NCT03216902) assessed the optimal dose of sepetaprost ophthalmic solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods:

After washout, patients ≥18 years (USA) or ≥20 years of age (Japan) received once-daily sepetaprost for 3 months [0.0005% (n = 43); 0.001% (n = 43); 0.002% (n = 44); and 0.003% (n = 45)], latanoprost 0.005% (n = 44) or placebo until week 6, followed by sepetaprost 0.003% until month 3 (n = 22). Safety assessments included adverse event (AE) occurrence.

Results:

Baseline mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) was 24.3 mmHg for latanoprost and ranged between 24.1 and 24.5 mmHg for the sepetaprost groups. Sepetaprost 0.002% had the lowest IOP at each month 3 time point (9:00 AM; 1:00 PM; 5:00 PM) of all sepetaprost concentrations (mean ± standard error: 17.6 ± 0.5; 17.4 ± 0.4; 16.7 ± 0.4 mmHg); similar values were observed with latanoprost (18.1 ± 0.6; 17.3 ± 0.5; 17.2 ± 0.5 mmHg). A positive dose–response relationship was observed with the 3 lower sepetaprost doses; sepetaprost 0.002% had numerically greater IOP-lowering effects than sepetaprost 0.003%. All sepetaprost doses had statistically significantly greater IOP reductions from baseline versus placebo at week 6 (P < 0.0001). This IOP-lowering effect was consistent between Japan- and USA-based patients. Most AEs were mild and occurred numerically less frequently with sepetaprost 0.002% (34.1%) versus latanoprost (50.0%). The most frequently reported AE was conjunctival hyperemia.

Conclusion:

In this study, sepetaprost 0.002% was the optimal concentration, showing comparable IOP-lowering efficacy and safety with latanoprost 0.005%. Most AEs were mild; occurrence was numerically lower with sepetaprost 0.002% than latanoprost 0.005%.

Cost–Utility Analysis of a Latanoprost Cationic Emulsion (STN1013001) versus Other Latanoprost in the Treatment of Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension and Concomitant Ocular Surface Disease in Germany

Purpose

This study aimed to estimate the cost–utility and economic value of STN1013001, a latanoprost cationic emulsion vs other latanoprost formulations (henceforth latanoprost) in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT) and concomitant ocular surface disease (OSD) in Germany.

Methods

An early 5-year Markov model-supported cost–utility analysis was performed to estimate costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and life-years saved (LYS) for STN1013001 vs latanoprost from the German health system perspective. The model included seven mutually exclusive health states and adopted a 1-year cycle length. The model was populated with pooled data derived, by means of a questionnaire, from a convenience sample of five German glaucoma specialists. Remaining data were derived from published sources. Data provided by the ophthalmologists included annual treatment adherence probabilities, utility values and resource utilization. The half-cycle correction as well as a discount rate of 3.0% per year were applied to costs (expressed in €2020), life-year saved (LYS) and QALYs. The incremental cost–utility ratio (ICUR) was contrasted against the informal willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold for incremental LYS saved or QALY gained (€30,000) proposed for Germany. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (OWSA; PSA) tested the robustness of the base case ICUR.

Results

Over the 5-year time horizon, STN1013001 strongly dominates latanoprost as it is less costly (€1003.65 vs €1145.37; −12.37%) and produces more QALYs (2.612 vs 2.365; +10.44%) per notional patient. Baseline findings were robust against all the variations included in OWSA. PSA shows that STN1013001 has a 100% probability of being cost-effective vs Latanoprost at each WTP threshold for incremental QALY gained.

Conclusion

Once on the market, STN1013001 will provide a cost-effective and possibly strongly dominant therapy vs latanoprost for OAG/OHT+OSD patients from a German health system perspective. Future empirical research should confirm these findings.

Demographic, Clinical, and Psychosocial Predictors of Change in Medication Adherence in the Support, Educate, Empower Program

PURPOSE

To investigate whether demographic, clinical, or psychosocial factors act as moderators of change in medication adherence in the Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) program.

DESIGN

Prospective, single-arm pilot study with a pre-post design.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with glaucoma aged ≥ 40 years and taking ≥ 1 glaucoma medication were recruited from the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Those who had electronically measured adherence ≤ 80% in the 3-month eligibility monitoring period were enrolled in the SEE program.

METHODS

Medication adherence was monitored electronically during the 7-month intervention and calculated as the percentage of doses taken correctly. Change in adherence at different points in the SEE program and cumulative change in adherence were modeled with linear regression, and baseline demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors were investigated for significant associations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables associated with change in medication adherence in the SEE program.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine participants completed the SEE program. These participants were on average 63.9 years old (standard deviation [SD], 10.7 years), 56% (n = 22) were male, 44% (n = 17) were White, and 49% (n = 19) were Black. Medication adherence improved from an average of 59.9% (SD, 18.5%) at baseline to 83.6% (SD, 17.5%) after the final SEE session, for an increase of 23.7% (SD, 17.5%). Although participants with lower income (< $25 000 and $25 000-50 000 vs. >$50 000) had lower baseline adherence (48.4% and 64.1% vs. 70.4%), these individuals had greater increases in adherence during the first month of medication reminders (19.6% and 21.6% vs. 10.2%; P = 0.05 and P = 0.007, respectively). Participants taking fewer glaucoma medications also had significantly greater increases in adherence with medication reminders (P < 0.001). Those with higher levels of glaucoma-related distress (GD) had lower baseline adherence and greater increases in adherence with glaucoma coaching (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-level factors associated with relatively greater improvements in medication adherence through the SEE Program included lower income, fewer glaucoma medications, and increased GD. These findings demonstrate that the SEE program can improve glaucoma self-management even among participants with social and psychological barriers to medication adherence.

Comparison of Medication Adherence Assessment Tools to Identify Glaucoma Medication Nonadherence

PURPOSE

To assess the accuracy of 5 subjective self-assessment tools (3 adherence measures and 2 psychometric scales) and pharmacy refill data in predicting objective electronically monitored nonadherence.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Glaucoma patients (> 40 years old, >1 medication with poor self-reported adherence) were recruited from University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center for a study assessing the impact of a personalized glaucoma coaching program on medication adherence.

METHODS

Participants completed an initial assessment including 5 self-assessment tools and a 3-month period of electronic monitoring of glaucoma medication adherence (AdhereTech); pharmacy refill data were obtained. Electronically monitored adherence was calculated monthly as the percentage of doses taken on time. The median of these adherence rates was designated as baseline adherence. Patients with adherence of ≤80% by electronic monitoring were considered nonadherent. Self-assessment tools were scored, and pharmacy refill data were summarized as the proportion of days covered. Correlation between measures of adherence was estimated with Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Receiver operating characteristic curves, including estimation of area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used to compare measures of adherence with respect to predicting electronically monitored nonadherence.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Accuracy of self-reported and pharmacy refill data adherence measures in predicting electronically monitored nonadherence.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients completed 3 months of electronic monitoring with a median monthly adherence of 74 (± 21%); 53 patients (56%) were nonadherent. Pharmacy refill data were not correlated significantly with electronically monitored medication adherence (r = 0.12; P = 0.2). Of all the measures, a single-item adherence question ("Over the past month, what percentage of your drops do you think you took correctly?") showed the largest correlation with median electronically monitored adherence (r = 0.47; P < 0.0001), largest AUC for predicting nonadherence (AUC = 0.76 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.87]), best accuracy (71% [95% CI, 61%-82%]), and good sensitivity (84% [95% CI, 73%-96%]).

CONCLUSIONS

The single-item question was the most accurate in predicting electronically monitored nonadherence among participants with poor self-reported adherence. In clinical practice, where alternatives are too resource intensive, this free single-item screening question can help to identify glaucoma patients at risk of poor medication adherence with reasonable accuracy.

Clinical Practice Management of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in the United States: An Analysis of Real-World Evidence

PURPOSE

To investigate clinical management of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the United States using real-world evidence and to examine healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), medication adherence/persistence, and procedure use.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of Optum's de-identified Market Clarity Dataset (July 1, 2013-December 31, 2019).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients ≥18 years with POAG diagnosis and continuous enrollment for 1-year pre- and post-index were eligible and categorized into four mutually exclusive cohorts: CH1, treated with antiglaucoma medication(s) only; CH2, underwent glaucoma procedure(s) only; CH3, treated with antiglaucoma medication(s) and underwent procedure(s); and CH4, received no treatment for POAG. Adherence and persistence with antiglaucoma medications, and disease-specific HCRU were analyzed. Pairwise two-sample comparisons and multivariate regressions were conducted.

RESULTS

Examined 232,572 eligible patients (CH1=60,895; CH2=4330; CH3=6027; CH4=161,320). Prostaglandin analogs were most prescribed antiglaucoma medications (CH1: 69.7%; CH3: 62.7%), of which latanoprost was most common (CH1: 51.3%; CH3: 46.1%). Disease-specific office visits occurred in 26.3%, 78.2%, 75.0%, 23.8%, and surgical services visits occurred in 3.8%, 36.3%, 42.5%, 3.3%, in CH1-CH4, respectively. Adherence was higher (medication possession ratio: 47.1% vs 39.4%; P<0.0001), and more patients remained persistent across 1-year post-index period in CH1 vs CH3 (25.4% vs 16.1%; P<0.0001). Positive predictors of medication persistence included being female, ≥55 years, and history of dyslipidemia or thyroid disease (all P≤0.0003).

CONCLUSION

Overall, 70% POAG patients might not have received antiglaucoma treatment. Since POAG is a slowly progressive blinding disease, the lack of antiglaucoma treatment and suboptimal adherence/persistence with medications are of major concerns. Targeted screening and educational approaches are needed to improve POAG management.

Medication Adherence in Patients With Glaucoma and Disability

Importance

People with disabilities tend to have lower medication adherence. Glaucoma medication adherence has been scantly studied for people with disability.

Objective

To determine whether disability leads to reduced glaucoma medication adherence and whether this decrease varies by type of disability.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based case-control study enrolled individuals with glaucoma and without disability, who were followed up until they received disability certification. All patients in Taiwan with confirmed glaucoma in 1 or both eyes were identified using National Health Insurance claims data. All patients with glaucoma who required glaucoma medication adherence (confirmed glaucoma, suspected glaucoma, and patients with ocular hypertension) and had newly obtained disability status after December 31, 2013, were identified and matched to counterparts without disability based on age and sex. The study period was January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from May 2021 to August 2021.

Exposures

All patients were followed up until they obtained confirmed disability status, which was identified using the National Disability Registry in Taiwan.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Secondary adherence was measured using frequencies of glaucoma medication refills and outpatient visits at 1-year and 2-year intervals.

Results

A total of 46 468 patients with glaucoma (23 234 with disability and 23 234 without disability; 24 508 men [52.7%]; 21 960 women [47.3%] mean [SD] age, 72.5 [14.3] years) were included in the study. Overall, the frequency of glaucoma outpatient visits was higher in people with disabilities than those without disabilities both before the index dates (difference, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.57-0.72]; P < .001) and after the index dates (difference, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.27-0.41]; P < .001) when using 1-year intervals. However, when stratified by the type of disability, having limb disability, being in a vegetative state, and having dementia were associated with fewer outpatient visits and lower medication adherence (at a maximum of 17.60 [95% CI, 8.90-26.30] percentage points lower; P < .001) compared with people without disability. Adjusted regression results revealed that people with visual disability had a mean of 2.50 (95% CI, 2.34-2.67) times more glaucoma outpatient visits than their matches who were disability free (P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Certain types of disability can reduce glaucoma medication adherence by up to 17.60%. Policies targeting medication adherence should consider these disability types.

Topical Medication Adherence and Visual Field Progression in Open-angle Glaucoma: Analysis of a Large US Health Care System

PRCIS

Modeling of visual field and pharmacy data (Kaiser Permanente, 2001 to 2014) from open-angle/pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients in clinical practice indicated a significant inverse association between the level of medication adherence and rate of visual field progression.

PURPOSE

The aim was to quantify the effect of nonadherence to topical hypotensive medication on glaucomatous visual field progression in clinical practice.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of combined visual field and pharmacy data from Kaiser Permanente Southern California's HealthConnect electronic health record database. Patients with a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (2001 to 2011) and ≥3 subsequent visual field tests of the same Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm type were followed up from first medication fill to final visual field test. Medication adherence (proportion of days covered) was estimated from pharmacy refill data. A conditional growth model was used to estimate the effect of adherence level in modifying the progression of mean deviation over time after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline glaucoma severity, and comorbidity.

RESULTS

In total, 6343 eligible patients were included in the study and followed for (mean) 5.8 years; average treatment adherence during follow-up was 73%. After controlling for confounders and the interaction between time and baseline disease severity, the model indicated that mean deviation progression was significantly (P=0.006) reduced by 0.006 dB per year for each 10% (absolute) increase in adherence. Model estimates of time to glaucoma progression (mean deviation change -3 dB from baseline) were 8.3 and 9.3 years for patients with adherence levels of 20% and 80%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving patient adherence to topical glaucoma medication may result in slower deterioration in visual function over time.

Phase 3, Randomized, 20-Month Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Bimatoprost Implant in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (ARTEMIS 2)

Objective

To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety of 10 and 15 µg bimatoprost implant in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods

This randomized, 20-month, multicenter, masked, parallel-group, phase 3 trial enrolled 528 patients with OAG or OHT and an open iridocorneal angle inferiorly in the study eye. Study eyes were administered 10 or 15 µg bimatoprost implant on day 1, week 16, and week 32, or twice-daily topical timolol maleate 0.5%. Primary endpoints were IOP and IOP change from baseline through week 12. Safety measures included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and corneal endothelial cell density (CECD).

Results

Both 10 and 15 µg bimatoprost implant met the primary endpoint of noninferiority to timolol in IOP lowering through 12 weeks. Mean IOP reductions from baseline ranged from 6.2–7.4, 6.5–7.8, and 6.1–6.7 mmHg through week 12 in the 10 µg implant, 15 µg implant, and timolol groups, respectively. IOP lowering was similar after the second and third implant administrations. Probabilities of requiring no IOP-lowering treatment for 1 year after the third administration were 77.5% (10 µg implant) and 79.0% (15 µg implant). The most common TEAE was conjunctival hyperemia, typically temporally associated with the administration procedure. Corneal TEAEs of interest (primarily corneal endothelial cell loss, corneal edema, and corneal touch) were more frequent with the 15 than the 10 µg implant and generally were reported after repeated administrations. Loss in mean CECD from baseline to month 20 was ~ 5% in 10 µg implant-treated eyes and ~ 1% in topical timolol-treated eyes. Visual field progression (change in the mean deviation from baseline) was reduced in the 10 µg implant group compared with the timolol group.

Conclusions

The results corroborated the previous phase 3 study of the bimatoprost implant. The bimatoprost implant met the primary endpoint and effectively lowered IOP. The majority of patients required no additional treatment for 12 months after the third administration. The benefit-risk assessment favored the 10 over the 15 µg implant. Studies evaluating other administration regimens with reduced risk of corneal events are ongoing. The bimatoprost implant has the potential to improve adherence and reduce treatment burden in glaucoma.

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

NCT02250651.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40265-021-01624-9.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Adherence to Ocular Hypotensive Medication in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose

Emerging evidence suggests that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is disrupting health behaviors such as medication adherence. The objective of this study was to determine whether adherence to ocular hypotensive medication was affected by the pandemic and to identify factors associated with this change.

Design

In this cohort study, we used a controlled interrupted time series design in which the interruption was the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States on March 13, 2020. The 300-day monitoring period, which evenly bracketed this declaration, started on October 16, 2019, and ended on August 10, 2020.

Participants

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal National Institutes of Health-funded study initiated before the onset of the pandemic were selected if they were prescribed ocular hypotensive medication and had adherence data spanning the 300-day period.

Methods

We applied segmented regression analysis using a “slope change following a lag” impact model to obtain the adherence slopes in the periods before and after the segmentation. We compared the 2 slopes using the Davies test.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measure was daily adherence to ocular hypotensive medication, defined as the number of doses taken divided by the number of doses prescribed, expressed in percent. Adherence was measured objectively using Medication Event Monitoring System caps. We assessed the associations between change in adherence and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors.

Results

The sample included 79 patients (mean age, 71 years [standard deviation, 8 years]). Segmented regression identified a breakpoint at day 28 after the declaration of the pandemic. The slope in the period after the breakpoint (–0.04%/day) was significantly different from zero (P < 0.001) and from the slope in the period before the breakpoint (0.006%/day; P < 0.001). Mean adherence in the period before the segmentation breakpoint was significantly worse in Black patients (median, IQR: 80.6%, 36.2%) compared with White patients (median, IQR: 97.2%, 8.7%; chi-square, 15.4; P = 0.0004). A significant positive association was observed between the Connor-Davidson resilience score and the change in slope between the periods before and after the breakpoint (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Adherence to ocular hypotensive medication worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and seems to be related to patient resilience. This collateral consequence of the pandemic may translate into vision loss that may manifest beyond its containment.

[Structure/function/treatment in glaucoma: progress over the last 10 years]

Since the 1990s several so-called landmark studies were carried out, which played an important role in the management of glaucoma patients due to their multicenter, randomized and masked structure. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) and the Collaborative Initial Treatment Glaucoma Study (CIGTS) and their follow-up studies are especially important in the conservative glaucoma management and in the evaluation of structure and function. The OHTS examined if lowering of the intraocular pressure (IOP) treatment reduces the progression from ocular hypertension to primary open angle glaucoma and what risk factors influence the progression. The CIGTS examined the progression of glaucoma in patients treated either with pharmacotherapy or with surgery. The recent studies, the United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study (UKGTS) and Glaucoma Automated Test Evaluation (GATE) investigated the influence of treatment with latanoprost on the development of visual field defects and examination of different screening tests in glaucoma, respectively. The OHTS provided results that justify prophylactic treatment as well as watchful waiting. The results of CIGTS showed that under certain conditions surgical treatment of a newly discovered glaucoma can be recommended for moderate to advanced glaucoma. In the UKGTS treatment with latanoprost reduced the intraocular pressure and also the progression of visual field defects in beginning and moderate glaucoma damage. The GATE study found no clear-cut advantage of screening examinations, with cost effectiveness and without a substantial proportion of diagnoses being missed.

Quality of Life in Adults with Childhood Glaucoma: An Interview Study

PURPOSE

To explore and report on the quality-of-life (QoL) issues encountered by adults with childhood glaucoma.

DESIGN

Exploratory qualitative study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-seven participants with childhood glaucoma (defined as disease onset <18 years) recruited from the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma (ANZRAG).

METHODS

A qualitative research methodology (interpretive phenomenology) was applied, and data were collected through semistructured in-depth interviews. NVivo-12 software (QSR International Pty Ltd) was used to inductively analyze and code data to identify QoL themes pertinent to the cohort studied.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quality-of-life themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Mean participant age was 40.0 ± 15.3 years, and 55% of participants were female. We identified 10 QoL themes pertinent to adults living with childhood glaucoma. Coping strategies and emotional well-being were the most prominent themes. Maladaptive coping strategies, including treatment nonadherence, were observed more commonly in individuals aged <40 years and those without a vision impairment or reviewed less regularly. Emotional well-being was affected by feelings of being misunderstood because of the rarity of the condition, being self-conscious of physical manifestations of the disease, and anxiety related to possible disease progression and vision loss. The effect of childhood glaucoma on family planning formed a novel QoL theme and included worry for their child to inherit the condition and an inability to fulfill parental duties. This often led to genetic counseling-seeking behaviors. Mobility issues were infrequently experienced.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood glaucoma poses a substantial impact to the emotional well-being of adults with the condition, which is mediated by the use of coping strategies. Genetic counseling and family planning options may be important. This study supports the development of a childhood glaucoma-specific patient-reported outcome measure for assessment of the psychosocial impact of childhood glaucoma in adults.

Impact of anxiety and depression on progression to glaucoma among glaucoma suspects

AIMS

To assess the impact of anxiety and depression in the risk of converting to glaucoma in a cohort of glaucoma suspects followed over time.

METHODS

The study included a retrospective cohort of subjects with diagnosis of glaucoma suspect at baseline, extracted from the Duke Glaucoma Registry. The presence of anxiety and depression was defined based on electronic health records billing codes, medical history and problem list. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain HRs for the risk of converting to glaucoma over time. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, gender, race, intraocular pressure measurements over time and disease severity at baseline.

RESULTS

A total of 3259 glaucoma suspects followed for an average of 3.60 (2.05) years were included in our cohort, of which 911 (28%) were diagnosed with glaucoma during follow-up. Prevalence of anxiety and depression were 32% and 33%, respectively. Diagnoses of anxiety, or concomitant anxiety and depression were significantly associated with risk of converting to glaucoma over time, with adjusted HRs (95% CI) of 1.16 (1.01, 1.33) and 1.27 (1.07, 1.50), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A history of anxiety or both anxiety and depression in glaucoma suspects was associated with developing glaucoma during follow-up.

Effectiveness of MicroShunt in Patients with Primary Open-Angle and Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma: A Retrospective European Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Preserflo MicroShunt implant (Santen) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG).

DESIGN

Retrospective, open-label, multicenter study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with insufficiently controlled primary POAG or PXG who underwent a standalone MicroShunt implantation procedure.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with POAG and PXG who underwent surgery with the ab externo minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device Preserflo MicroShunt with mitomycin C.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary end points were mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of hypotensive medications from baseline through month 12. Success was defined as an IOP of 18 mmHg or less and an IOP reduction of 20% or more, with (qualified) or without (complete) any hypotensive medication.

RESULTS

Among the 130 patients who underwent MicroShunt implantation, 104 fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Eighty-one eyes (77.9%) were diagnosed with POAG and 23 eyes (22.1%) were diagnosed with PXG. The mean age was 71.4 ± 12.6 years, and 45 patients (43.3%) were women. Mean IOP was lowered significantly from 25.1 ± 6.5 mmHg at baseline to 14.1 ± 3.4 mmHg at month 12 (P < 0.0001). At month 12, 27 eyes (26.0%) were categorized as complete successes and 61 eyes (58.7%) were categorized as qualified successes. The mean number of hypotensive medications was reduced significantly from 3.0 ± 1.0 medications at the preoperative visit to 0.77 ± 0.95 medication at month 12 (P < 0.001). Throughout the study, 19 eyes (18.3%) required needling and 14 eyes (13.5%) underwent surgical revision. Eight eyes (7.7%) showed hyphema and 5 eyes (4.8%) showed choroidal detachment. These were resolved with medical therapy without sequelae. Four patients underwent subsequent surgeries, and 2 patients underwent trabeculectomy (at months 3 and 6): One patient underwent transscleral cyclophotocoagulation at month 3 and 1 patient underwent MicroPulse cyclophotocoagulation at month 4.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective study, the MicroShunt effectively lowered IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications.

Lifestyle Counseling for Medication Adherence in Glaucoma

Background

Medication adherence in glaucoma patients remains sub-par despite proven benefits of regular administration. The objective was to analyze medication adherence before and after lifestyle counseling in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (mild, moderate, severe).

Methods

Prospective cohort study from May to July 2018 at a single academic center. From 391 consecutive records, 247 were excluded based on exclusion criteria with 28 patients not meeting inclusion criteria resulting in the final sample of 116 patients (33 had OHT, 83 had POAG – 28 mild, 39 moderate, 16 severe). Scripted lifestyle counseling focusing on diet, exercise, vitamin intake, stress management, and medication adherence was administered by a team of trained medical students. Primary outcome measure was self-reported medication adherence, defined as not missing an eye drop administration in the past month. A 2–3 week follow-up with scripted telephone survey assessing medication adherence, diet, and exercise was collected.

Results

At baseline, in 116 patients, 59.5% were adherent to their medication with a breakdown of 42.4% OHT, 64.3% mild, 66.7% moderate, and 68.7% severe and an increasing trend in medication adherence was found across increasing disease severity (p=0.055). Of the 76 (65.5%) patients reached for follow-up, 17 (22.4%) became adherent following lifestyle counseling (p=0.02) increasing overall adherence to 78.9% from 62.5%.

Conclusion

In our study, comprehensive lifestyle counseling succeeded in increasing medication adherence in patients with OHT and POAG.

Aiding Adherence to Glaucoma Medications: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive assessment of the strategies studied to date that focus on improving glaucoma medication adherence.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), and Scopus (Elsevier) from inception to March 1, 2021, of publications describing a device or strategy used to improve glaucoma medication adherence.

RESULTS

42 studies described by 50 papers were included. Five categories were identified: reminder systems, medication simplifications, behavioral change programs, education, and alternative engagement strategies.

CONCLUSION

Most studies (40 of the 42) addressed the question of improved adherence directly, with 26 finding improved adherence. Notably, 14 examined the clinical effects of the intervention, either in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) or visual fields. Only three found an improvement in IOP. None demonstrated a between group difference in visual field progression.

Lower Cognitive Function in Patients with Functionally and Structurally Severe Glaucoma: The LIGHT Study

PRECIS

This cross-sectional study of 172 patients with glaucoma showed that functional and structural glaucoma damage was significantly associated with cognitive impairment independent of age and visual acuity.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether functional and structural glaucoma damage is associated with cognitive function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analysis comprising 172 patients with glaucoma with a mean age of 70.6 years. Functional glaucoma severity was evaluated according to the visual field mean deviation (severe, mean deviation ≤ -12▒dB; mild, mean deviation > -12▒dB), and structural glaucoma severity was determined based on circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The main outcome measure was cognitive impairment defined by a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score of ≤26 and MMSE-blind score of ≤16.

RESULTS

The prevalence of patients with cognitive impairment (MMSE score ≤26) was significantly higher in the severe glaucoma group than in the mild glaucoma group (33.3% vs. 15.7%; P=0.010, respectively). Similar results were obtained in the analyses with MMSE-blind score of ≤16 (14.7% vs. 1.4%; P=0.003, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders, including age, body mass index, education, visual acuity, hypertension, diabetes, and depressive symptoms, indicated a higher odds ratio for cognitive impairment (MMSE score ≤26) in patients with severe glaucoma than in those with mild glaucoma (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-6.84; P=0.049) and in relation to a 10-μm thinning of the RNFL (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.93; P=0.025).

CONCLUSION

Functional and structural glaucoma damage was significantly associated with lower cognitive function independent of age and visual acuity in a glaucoma cohort.

The Aging Lens and Glaucoma in persons over 50: Why early cataract surgery/refractive lensectomy and microinvasive trabecular bypass can prevent blindness and cure elevated eye pressure

Currently, IOP reduction is the only way we can help reduce or even stop glaucoma progression. Due to higher rates of blindness in vulnerable poorer groups with decreased access to expensive medications, safer, uncomplicated cataract extraction/refractive lensectomy and microinvasive trabecular bypass surgery should be considered earlier. We need more studies with randomized controlled clinical trials comparing earlier cataract surgery and trabecular bypass to medical, and laser therapies in order to reassess our algorithm for treating enlarged lens-related glaucoma in adults over the age of 50.

Factors Associated With Favorable Laser Trabeculoplasty Response: IRIS Registry Analysis

PURPOSE

We examined patients in a large clinical registry to assess factors associated with laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) responses.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

StudyPopulation: LTP patients in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry, 2013-2018.

OBSERVATION

IRIS Registry data were extracted if the eye had a procedural code for LTP and a glaucoma diagnosis. Eyes were excluded if LTP laterality or baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) could not be determined. Following LTP, "nonresponders" were those with <20% IOP reduction after 8 weeks, while "responders" were those with ≥20% IOP reduction. MainOutcomeMeasures: Proportion of responders, odds ratios (OR) of pre-LTP factors associated with being a nonresponder.

RESULTS

A total of 263,480 eyes were included, with mean age 71.4 ± 11.7 years. Mean baseline IOP was 19.1 ± 5.0 mm Hg, mean number of pre-LTP medications was 2.1 ± 1.5. Response rate was 36.9% overall and 68.8% for those with baseline IOP >24 mm Hg. Higher baseline IOP was associated with reduced odds of nonresponse (OR = 0.60, P < .0001 for a 3 mm Hg increase). Angle recession, uveitis, and aphakia increased the odds of a nonresponse (ORs 2.46, 1.50 (both P < .0001), and 1.55 (P = .0259), respectively). In nonresponders with at least 1 medication at baseline, 76.3% of eyes had fewer medications postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower baseline IOP, angle recession, uveitis, and aphakia were associated with increased odds of nonresponse. Future studies that analyze LTP responder survival and implementation lag would facilitate resource optimization in glaucoma therapy.

A novel EyePhone© App for improving adherence to glaucoma therapy

PURPOSE

Despite advances in glaucoma treatment options, patient adherence and compliance remain very low. The EyePhone© App is a free non-commercial reminder application designed specifically for the needs of glaucoma patients. In this study, we evaluated its usefulness in improving adherence to medical treatment among glaucoma patients.

METHODS

This is a prospective multicenter interventional study. Glaucoma patients were recruited from a tertiary center and a large community glaucoma service center. After a short explanation, the EyePhone© App was installed on their smartphone device, and the notifications for the current medical treatment were entered. After enrollment and at 1-month follow-up, subjects completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the Quality of Life and Glaucoma 17-item (GlauQOL-17) questionnaires for evaluation of adherence and QOL, respectively.

RESULTS

In the study, 133 patients (71 men and 62 women) aged 62±15.5 years and using 2.0±0.9 IOP-lowering drugs participated. The proportion of highly adherent subjects improved from 29.3% (39/133) at baseline to 42.1% (56/133) at follow-up (P < 0.001), and the proportion of poorly adherent subjects decreased from 29.3 (39/133) to 20.3% (27/133) at follow-up (P = 0.012). QOL also improved, as evidenced by a significant increase in the GlauQOL-17 score (P < 0.05). In a subgroup of patients for whom IOP measurements were available, IOP reduced by 0.92 mmHg (P = 0.069).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvements in glaucoma adherence and QOL were achieved among poorly adherent glaucoma patients after 1 month of using the EyePhone© App.

Cost-related nonadherence with glaucoma medications in Ontario

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of glaucoma patients in Ontario aged 25-64 who lack insurance coverage for glaucoma medications and to assess the frequency of cost-related nonadherence to glaucoma medications.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Glaucoma patients on medication from 2 glaucoma clinics in Toronto, Ontario.

METHODS

100 consecutive glaucoma patients aged 25-64 (not entitled to provincial drug benefit) and 100 consecutive glaucoma patients aged 65+ (entitled to provincial drug benefit), all on topical glaucoma therapy, completed a standardized questionnaire. Questions included insurance coverage for glaucoma medications, cost concerns when paying for glaucoma medications, cost-related nonadherence, and sociodemographics.

RESULTS

25.8% of those aged 25-64 express concerns about the cost of their glaucoma medications compared to 7.1% of those aged 65+ (p < 0.001). Patients aged 25-64 were also significantly more likely to report at least one form of cost-related nonadherence (15.5% vs 2.0%, p = 0.001) and significantly more likely to report missing eye drops in a given week than patients aged 65+ (32.0% vs 16.7%, p = 0.01). 17% (95% confidence interval 11%-26%) of patients aged 25-64 self-reported having no insurance coverage for their glaucoma medications. Of those with coverage, the most common source of insurance was employer-sponsored (68.6%) with 44% requiring a copayment. The average copayment was $18 (range $2-$250) for those aged 25-64 compared with $5 in the 65+ group (range $0.62-$100).

CONCLUSIONS

17% of glaucoma patients aged 25-64 do not have coverage for their drops. One in four expressed concerns about the cost of their glaucoma medications, and 15.5% reported cost-related nonadherence.

A Prospective Analysis of iStent Inject Microstent Implantation: Surgical Outcomes, Endothelial Cell Density, and Device Position at 12 Months

PRECIS

The surgical outcome of iStent inject devices is associated with device protrusion within the anterior chamber. Schlemm canal (SC) dilatation has a prognostic value. iStent inject devices do not move within the first year after implantation.

INTRODUCTION

The iStent inject is a device designed to be implanted ab-interno through the trabecular meshwork. The present study follows up on our preliminary report, using successive in vivo anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging to analyze the associations between stent positioning, iridocorneal angle structures, and surgical outcomes.

METHODS

In total, 54 eyes of 42 patients (73.3±7.4 y) with cataract and mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma were examined in this prospective study. All patients underwent implantation of 2 iStent inject devices combined with phacoemulsification. Patients were followed up over a 12-month period. AS-OCT was performed after 3 and 12 months. Thirty unoperated fellow eyes served as control eyes.

RESULTS

Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 16.5±4.2 mm Hg at baseline to 15.1±3.7 mm Hg at 12 months (-8.7%; P=0.004), while medications decreased from 1.8±1.0 to 0.5±0.9 (-72.2%; P<0.001). Unmedicated IOP≤18 mm Hg was achieved in 58.8% of operated eyes. No sight-threatening complications were reported. On AS-OCT, 44.9% of devices were buried within the trabeculum. Device position was unchanged between scans. Regression analysis elicited significant predictors: SC dilatation effect [risk ratio (RR)=0.230; P=0.003], greatest SC diameter (RR=0.991; P=0.049), extrusion of the most anterior device (RR=0.993; P=0.012), gonioscopically visible devices (RR=0.406; P=0.040), baseline treatments (RR=2.214; P=0.001), and baseline IOP (RR=0.184; P=0.006). Endothelial cell density decreased by 14.6% at 12 months (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the IOP-lowering and medication-lowering potential of iStent inject surgery in primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. It confirms that surgical outcomes are positively associated with device protrusion within the anterior chamber, and suggests SC dilatation effect as a favorable prognostic indicator. It shows that stents are stable in time, highlighting the importance of the initial implantation location.

The Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Glaucoma Medication Adherence: Interviews of Glaucoma Experts

Poor adherence to glaucoma medications is associated with progressive vision loss. While many interventions have sought to increase glaucoma medication adherence, the amount by which adherence must increase to have a clinically significant effect remains unknown. To generate a hypothesized minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for glaucoma medication adherence, we conducted interviews with glaucoma experts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the American Glaucoma Society. MCID was defined in 2 ways: (1) the incremental increase in the average percentage of eye drops a patient takes at roughly the correct time and (2) the incremental increase in the proportion of a patient population who attain good adherence. Good adherence was defined as taking more than 80% of drops at approximately the prescribed dose time. Expert opinions on the MCID for glaucoma medication adherence and open-ended responses were recorded through field notes. Twenty-five experts were interviewed. They estimated the MCID for average individual adherence levels as 17.7% (95% CI: 14.6, 20.8). Experts estimated the MCID for the proportion of patients in a practice who attain good adherence (defined as >80% of eye drops taken as prescribed) as 18.5% (95% CI: 15.6, 21.5). The most common identified themes were that the MCID should take into account the cost of the intervention and the burden to the ophthalmologist and to the practice, where experts thought that more costly interventions or those that required more physician time should have larger MCIDs. Based on expert opinion, we hypothesized that the MCID for glaucoma medication adherence is between 15 and 20%. However, the MCID for a given intervention must take into account several factors, including intervention cost and physician burden. This hypothesis may facilitate the design and implementation of future studies to objectively determine an MCID for glaucoma medication adherence.

Medical anti-glaucoma therapy: Beyond the drop

Barriers to effective medical therapy are numerous and include difficulties with effective and sustained control of intraocular pressure (IOP) and adherence to prescribed anti-glaucoma drop regimens. In an effort to circumvent these challenges, a number of new anti-glaucoma therapies with sustained effects have emerged. Methods for sustained delivery of prostaglandin analogs are being intensely investigated and many are in human clinical trials. Intracameral devices include the following: Allergan's Durysta^™ Bimatoprost SR, Envisia Therapeutics' ENV515 travoprost implant, Glaukos' iDose^™ , Ocular Therapeutix's OTX-TIC travoprost implant, and Santen's polycaprolactone implant with PGE2-derivative DE-117. Other prostaglandin-based technologies include Allergan's bimatoprost ring (placed in the conjunctival fornix), Ocular Therapeutics' OTX-TP intracanalicular travoprost implant, subconjunctival latanoprost in a liposomal formulation, and the PGE2 derivative PGN 9856-isopropyl ester that is applied to the periorbital skin. Exciting breakthroughs in gene therapy include using viral vectors to correct defective genes such as MYOC or to modulate gonioimplant fibrosis, CRISPR technology to edit MYOC or to alter aquaporin to reduce aqueous humor production, and siRNA technology to silence specific genes. Stem cell technology can repopulate depleted tissues or, in the case of Neurotech's Renexus® NT-501 intravitreal implant, serve as a living drug delivery device that continuously secretes neurotrophic factors. Other unique approaches involve nanotechnology, nasal sprays that deliver drug directly to the optic nerve and noninvasive alternating current stimulation of surviving cells in the optic nerve. Over time these modalities are likely to challenge the preeminent role that drops currently play in the medical treatment of glaucoma in animals.

<p>Decreasing Avoidable Vision Loss: Identifying Antecedents of Adherence</p>

Adherence to medication treatment protocols and active participation by individuals in their medical care are important for all patients, but especially for those with chronic conditions such as vision loss. Adherence is crucial for decreasing avoidable vision loss. Failure to take medications as prescribed and keep scheduled appointments reduces treatment effectiveness, increases complications and results in poorer outcomes. Reasons for nonadherence vary by diagnosis and include not understanding the importance of adherence, low health literacy, lack of adequate self-efficacy, low level of activation and behavioral issues including depression. Patients may lack information about their condition and its prognosis, available treatment alternatives, and other essential information such as how to monitor their eye condition, what to do if vision deteriorates and how to get needed community-based help. Each of these factors impedes patients’ ability to engage with their physician and participate in their own care. The ability of individuals with vision loss to actively and effectively manage their health care, ie, activation, has been understudied. When patients are involved with their own care, their care experience, and most importantly, their outcomes, are improved. Identifying antecedents of adherence may help provide disease- and patient-specific pathways to reduce avoidable vision loss.

Intraocular Pressure Following Prerandomization Glaucoma Medication Washout in the HORIZON and COMPASS Trials

PURPOSE

To assess the effectiveness of topical ocular hypotensive medications in patients with open-angle glaucoma and to identify factors associated with postwashout intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of prerandomization data from 2 prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trials.

METHODS

Fourteen hundred subjects (1,400 eyes, 781 from the HORIZON study of the Hydrus micro-stent and 619 from the COMPASS study of the Cypass micro-stent) with primary open-angle glaucoma who were using 0-4 classes of topical IOP-lowering medication underwent Goldmann applanation tonometry before and after a protocol-defined washout period.

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) age was 70.7 (8.0) years and 55.6% were female. The change in IOP following washout for patients using 0 (n = 100), 1 (n = 705), 2 (n = 355), 3 (n = 214), or 4 (n = 26) medications was 0.2 (2.8), 5.7 (3.3), 6.9 (3.7), 8.8 (5.0), and 9.5 (4.1) mm Hg, respectively (P < .001, Kruskal-Wallis test). Postwashout IOP change was similar between the HORIZON and COMPASS cohorts. No difference in postwashout IOP change was detected among individual prostaglandin analogues in patients on monotherapy. A generalized linear model identified the following factors to be associated with greater IOP rise upon medication washout: greater number of glaucoma medications, higher unmedicated IOP, thinner central corneal thickness (CCT), lack of prior selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and male sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Cessation of glaucoma medications results in a dose-dependent IOP increase in treated open-angle glaucoma patients. Two independent clinical trial cohorts exhibit similar levels of IOP elevation upon washout, using standardized methodology to estimate real-world medication effectiveness. Thicker CCT and history of SLT may predict reduced response to IOP lowering medications.

Current Medical Therapy and Future Trends in the Management of Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only proven treatment strategy for glaucoma. However, some patients show progressive loss of visual field and quality of life despite controlled IOP which indicates that other factors are implicated in glaucoma. Therefore, approaches that could prevent or decrease the rate of progression and do not rely on IOP lowering have gained much attention. Effective neuroprotection has been reported in animal models of glaucoma, but till now, no neuroprotective agents have been clinically approved. The present update provides an overview of currently available IOP-lowering medications. Moreover, potential new treatment targets for IOP-lowering and neuroprotective therapy are discussed. Finally, future trends in glaucoma therapy are addressed, including sustained drug delivery systems and progress toward personalized medicine.

Impact of Intraocular Pressure Control on Rates of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Loss in a Large Clinical Population

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of intraocular pressure (IOP) control on rates of change of spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a large clinical population.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 85 835 IOP measurements and 60 223 SD-OCT tests from 14 790 eyes of 7844 patients.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Duke Glaucoma Registry, a large database of electronic medical records of patients with glaucoma and suspected disease followed over time at the Duke Eye Center and satellite clinics. All records from patients with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up and at least 2 good-quality SD-OCT scans and 2 clinical visits with Goldmann applanation tonometry were included. Eyes were categorized according to the frequency of visits with IOP below cutoffs of 21 mmHg, 18 mmHg, and 15 mmHg over time. Rates of change for global RNFL thickness were obtained using linear mixed models and classified as slow if change was slower than -1.0 μm/year; moderate if between -1.0 and -2.0 μm/year; and fast if faster than -2.0 μm/year. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, gender, race, diagnosis, central corneal thickness, follow-up time, and baseline disease severity.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rates of change in SD-OCT RNFL thickness according to levels of IOP control.

RESULTS

Eyes had a mean follow-up of 3.5±1.9 years. Average rate of change in RNFL thickness was -0.68±0.59 μm/year. Each 1 mmHg higher mean IOP was associated with 0.05 μm/year faster RNFL loss (P < 0.001) after adjustment for potentially confounding variables. For eyes that had fast progression, 41% of them had IOP <21 mmHg in all visits during follow-up, whereas 20% of them had all visits with IOP <18 mmHg, but only 9% of them had all visits with IOP <15 mmHg.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraocular pressure was significantly associated with rates of progressive RNFL loss in a large clinical population. Eyes with stricter IOP control over follow-up visits had a smaller chance of exhibiting fast deterioration. Our findings may assist clinicians in establishing target pressures in clinical practice.