Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases — most often caused by elevated eye pressure — that gradually damage the optic nerve and cause irreversible vision loss, typically starting at the periphery. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and most vision lost cannot be recovered.
What's actually going on in research
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) are being compared with traditional trabeculectomy and with medical therapy in trials to find the best approach for mild and moderate disease. Novel drug delivery systems — including extended-release implants and contact lenses that continuously release pressure-lowering medication — are in development to improve adherence. Neuroprotective drugs targeting the optic nerve directly — rather than just lowering eye pressure — are being tested for the first time.
MIGS procedures
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries using tiny stents, drainage channels, and laser approaches are being compared in trials to determine which produces the most sustained pressure reduction with the fewest risks.
Drug delivery implants
Sustained-release bimatoprost implants injected into the eye and glaucoma medication-releasing contact lenses are being tested to eliminate the adherence problem with daily eye drop regimens.
Optic nerve neuroprotection
Drugs like brimonidine and novel agents targeting BDNF signaling aim to protect optic nerve fibers from dying even after eye pressure is controlled — addressing the 30% of patients who progress despite good pressure control.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on glaucoma type (open-angle, angle-closure, normal tension), intraocular pressure, visual field loss severity, prior surgery, and current medication use.
What types of trials are currently open
- Surgical trials — Comparing MIGS, traditional trabeculectomy, tube shunt procedures, and laser treatments.
- Drug delivery trials — Testing sustained-release implants, contact lenses, and punctal plugs for continuous medication delivery.
- Neuroprotection trials — Evaluating drugs and devices that protect the optic nerve independent of intraocular pressure.
- Normal tension glaucoma trials — Testing treatments for glaucoma progression despite normal eye pressure.
- Observational studies — Tracking visual field progression rates and biomarkers in treated and untreated glaucoma populations.
Recently added Glaucoma trials
Defining Retinal Structures Using Hyperspectral Retinal Imaging
This study evaluates hyperspectral retinal imaging as a novel, non-invasive imaging technique to characterise retinal and optic nerve structures in healthy individuals and patients with eye disease. Hyperspectral imaging captures retinal data across multiple wavelengths to generate detailed spectral information that may reveal features not visible with conventional retinal photography. Approximately 1000 participants will undergo multi-modal ophthalmic imaging in Melbourne, Australia, including hyperspectral imaging, OCT, fundus photography, and related tests. The study aims to compare hyperspectral imaging with standard imaging methods and assess its ability to identify retinal biomarkers associated with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
The Multi-Omics Analysis of Lens Zonule Relaxation in The PACG Pathogenesis
Compared with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) patients without zonular laxity and the control group, there are differentially expressed molecules in PACG patients with zonular laxity, and a potential mechanistic network can be constructed therefrom.
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