Scientists are testing a new non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment for glaucoma, a disease that irreversibly damages the optic nerves of approximately 3 million people in the U.S. and 80 million globally.* Researchers envision that this treatment will be a simple, in-office injection to control the buildup of pressure inside the eye. The injection would be given twice a year, and no other treatment would be necessary in between office visits.

How does this new treatment work?

The injection consists of a hydrogel, or a biodegradable, water-absorbing polymer, that is administered through a tiny hollow needle, less than a millimeter long, into a space just below the surface of the eye. The hydrogel opens an alternate pathway for excess fluid (aqueous humor, AH) to drain, which relieves built-up pressure inside the eye and preserves vision. The procedure, including numbing and cleansing the site before injection, would take only a few minutes to perform.

What information does the study include?

The new treatment’s development is still in its early phases, and testing has only been done on animals thus far. 

Findings of a recent study in Advanced Science showed that:

• The approach significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP). 
• The pressure reduction lasted for four months.
• No significant inflammation resulted from the procedure.

According to the lead author of the study, J. Jeremy Chae, the research team is now working to modify the polymer material (hyaluronic acid) to provide treatment benefits for at least six months, which would coincide with many patients’ regularly scheduled office visits.

“The idea of having a ‘one-and-done’ treatment that lasts for six months would be particularly helpful for those whose access to healthcare is non-optimal,” stated Ross Ethier, professor and Eminent Scholar in Bioengineering in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. “Having a long-acting therapy would have an additional advantage during times of pandemic or other disruption when access to healthcare is more difficult.”

What will further research entail?

In addition to extending the effective time between injections, researchers must demonstrate that the procedure can be safely repeated without harming the eye. Further animal-based tests are necessary before advancing to human clinical trials, but the team is hopeful.

“The holy grail for glaucoma is an efficient way to lower the pressure that doesn’t rely on the patient putting drops in their eyes every day, doesn’t require a complicated surgery, has minimal side effects, and has a good safety profile,” said Ethier. “I am excited about this technique, which could be a game-changer for the treatment of glaucoma.”

*Toon, J. (2020, Dec. 7). Hydrogel Could Open New Path for Glaucoma Treatment Without Drugs or Surgery. Georgia Tech News Center. https://news.gatech.edu/2020/12/07/hydrogel-could-open-new-path-glaucoma-treatment-without-drugs-or-surgery 

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