Press Release
Innovative Approaches to Glaucoma Treatment Highlighted at ASCRS Annual Meeting
Los Angeles, CA – At the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting, held from April 25 to 28, Dr. Deb Ristvedt led a session titled "Medications, Lasers, and Lifestyle," focusing on the dynamic evolution of glaucoma treatment paradigms.
Dr. Ristvedt emphasized that the field is rapidly changing, with a move towards earlier interventions and reduced reliance on traditional eye drops. “We’re going less drops. We’re going earlier in the angle,” she noted, underscoring the importance of minimizing visual field loss through timely treatment.
Key advancements in drug delivery were central to the discussion. Dr. Doug Rhee presented compelling data on the sustained efficacy of new medications at the trabecular meshwork, highlighting their ability to maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) control for longer periods. “These medications now offer increased concentration and stability of IOP 24 hours a day,” Ristvedt stated, pointing to a promising future in pharmacological management of glaucoma.
Laser therapies are also undergoing transformative changes, particularly with selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). The session revisited the LiGHT trial, which has positioned SLT as a preferred first-line treatment. New developments, such as direct SLT—a next-generation method that delivers energy translimbally in just 2.6 seconds—were discussed. This technique offers comparable outcomes to manual SLT while improving patient comfort and surgeon ergonomics, eliminating the need for a gonio lens.
Dr. Ristvedt concluded with a focus on lifestyle considerations, emphasizing the holistic impact on patient quality of life. “Our lifestyle is crucial when we think about sustainable, patient-centric glaucoma care,” she asserted, calling for a comprehensive approach to treatment going forward.
The advancements presented at the ASCRS annual meeting mark a pivotal shift in glaucoma management, promising improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
