Suprachoroidal devices an exciting step in treatment of POAG

Approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S. have primary open-angle glaucoma, and the number in the world is at least 60 million. In addition, it is estimated that only 50% of patients with this disease have been diagnosed. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, cataract being No. 1. In African-Americans, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.POAG is defined by most as an optic neuropathy associated with elevated IOP above 21 mm Hg with progressive loss of ganglion cells. The many National Eye Institute-sponsored clinical trials, including OHTS, EMGTS, CIGTS, GLT and AGIS, have taught us much. Several risk factors have been confirmed, including elevated IOP, increased age, a thin cornea, female sex, a positive family history, especially on the maternal side, migraine and myopia. It is noteworthy that the only risk factor in the prior list that can be modified with medical or surgical treatment is elevated IOP. Thus, all current approved therapies lower IOP, and according to the AGIS study, every 1 mm Hg reduction in IOP reduces the risk of progressive ganglion cell loss 10%.