Treatment for glaucoma: comparative effectiveness

Boland MV, Ervin AM, Friedman D, Jampel H, Hawkins B, Volenweider D, Chelladurai Y, Ward D, Suarez-Cuervo C, Robinson KA
Record ID 32013000186
English
Authors' objectives: Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Treatment focuses on the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), which secondarily prevents worsening of visual field loss; in this way, available treatments may prevent visual impairment and blindness. The objective of this Comparative Effectiveness Review is to summarize the evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of medical, laser, and other surgical treatments for open-angle glaucoma in adults.
Authors' recommendations: We did not find evidence addressing direct or indirect links between glaucoma treatment and visual impairment or patient-reported outcomes. This should be an area of focus in future trials of adequate size and duration to detect differences between treatment groups. However, we did find that a number of medical and surgical treatments clearly lower IOP and can prevent visual field loss and optic nerve damage. While we found direct comparisons between some treatments, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of comparative effectiveness.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2012
URL for published report: http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/183/1024/CER60_Glaucoma-Treatment_20120524.pdf
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: United States
MeSH Terms
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Laser Therapy
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
  • Antihypertensive Agents
Contact
Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;
Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov
Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
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