The Glaucoma Patient Summit is an annual educational event coordinated by the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) to provide research and treatment updates and practical tips to people living with glaucoma and low vision. Here, experts at the 2023 Patient Summit answered attendee questions ranging from the status of stem cell research for treating glaucoma, to which aspects of low-vision rehabilitation are covered by Medicare.*

Stem cell research and finding clinical trials

“No one is currently conducting stem cell clinical trials,” said Jiun Do, M.D., Ph.D., of Shiley Eye Institute at University of California, San Diego, “so you want to be very cautious about anyone currently advertising clinical stem cell trials for treatment of any blindness.”

While he cited the ClinicalTrials.gov website as a good source for finding national and international trials, he cautioned patients to ask their glaucoma specialist for help finding trials that are “rigorous and safe.”

Studies listed on the website are not vetted by the government, added Sahar Bedrood, M.D., Ph.D. of Advanced Vision Care. “Any person in the country can come up with a clinical trial and put it into the website.”

Do does think that stem cell research has potential, but there are multiple barriers to conducting the necessary studies. “We have a lot of innovative physician-scientists looking to get started,” he said, “but the work and the research is intensive, and it takes a lot of resources.”

“Glaucoma is a really big entity,” he said. “We’re still learning about glaucoma, the different causes of it,” including genetic causes. “We need to figure out which glaucoma different people have so that we’re able to treat it appropriately.”

One way that patients can get involved and help advance the cause of making stem cell research a reality is to join glaucoma patient registries and contribute to the data collected there. 

Getting involved with research and advocacy organizations such as the GRF can also help these efforts.

Low-vision rehabilitation

Though many attendees were interested in the future of glaucoma treatment, others wanted to learn more about what resources are currently available for helping them live with their existing low vision.

Ava K. Bittner, O.D., Ph.D. of the Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, addressed a number of myths and misconceptions concerning low-vision rehabilitation. Contrary to popular belief, she said, low-vision rehabilitation is not just for people who are blind. It’s “for all varieties of visual impairment,” she said, and you don’t need a doctor’s referral to consult with a low-vision specialist.

If you decide to consult with a specialist, said Bittner, “plan to spend a few hours.” In addition to the initial evaluation, which can take up to an hour by itself, there may also be demonstrations of various assistive devices, as well as training on how to use them. 

While any products you may purchase are not covered by insurance, the exam, demonstrations, and even the training are covered by Medicare.

*Glaucoma Research Foundation Videos. (2023, August 2). 2023 Patient Summit: Questions and Answers with Glaucoma Experts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUjcK6JynYU 

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