John Thygesen1, Reinhard Burk2, Roberto Carassa3, Andrew Crichton4, Francisco Javier Goñi5, Mitch Menage6, Stefano Miglior7, Donald Montgomery8, John-Philippe Nordmann9, Tim Roberts10, Kuldev Singh11. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Hospital Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany. 3. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 5. Institut de Microcirurgia Ocular (IMO), Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom. 7. University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy. 8. Eye Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom. 9. Centre Hospitalier des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France. 10. Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 11. Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: In the clinical management of patients at risk for or diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the aim of medical treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and then maintain it over time at a level that preserves both the structure and function of the optic nerve. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report was to establish a consensus on the criteria that should be used to determine the characteristics of IOP-lowering medication. METHODS: Discussion was held among a panel of 12 physicians considered to be experts in glaucoma to develop a consensus on the criteria used by them to determine the characteristics of the IOP-lowering medication chosen for initial monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of ocular hypertension (OHT) or POAG. Consensus development combined available evidence and the impressions of these physicians regarding the clinical effectiveness of IOP-lowering medication for OHT and POAG. Once the panel identified the criteria, the order of priority and the relative importance of these criteria were then established in the setting of 3 risk categories (low, medium, and high) for a patient to experience significant visual disability from glaucoma over their expected life span. RESULTS: The panel identified 5 criteria to determine the characteristics of IOP-lowering medication for OHT and POAG: IOP-lowering effect, systemic adverse events (AEs), ocular tolerability, compliance/administration, and cost of treatment. IOP-lowering effect was consistently ranked as the highest priority and cost as the lowest. The priority of compliance/administration did not vary by clinical situation. Systemic AEs and ocular tolerability were ranked as higher priorities in initial monotherapy than in adjunctive treatment and ranked lower as the risk for visual disability increased. The priority given to the criteria used to determine clinical effectiveness varied both with the risk for functional vision loss from glaucoma and whether initial monotherapy or adjunctive treatment was being considered. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma treatment should be assessed with regard to the need not only to lower IOP but also to minimize systemic and ocular AEs, promote patient compliance, and minimize cost. The order of priority and relative importance given to these treatment criteria will vary as part of individualizing patient care.
UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: In the clinical management of patients at risk for or diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the aim of medical treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and then maintain it over time at a level that preserves both the structure and function of the optic nerve. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report was to establish a consensus on the criteria that should be used to determine the characteristics of IOP-lowering medication. METHODS: Discussion was held among a panel of 12 physicians considered to be experts in glaucoma to develop a consensus on the criteria used by them to determine the characteristics of the IOP-lowering medication chosen for initial monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of ocular hypertension (OHT) or POAG. Consensus development combined available evidence and the impressions of these physicians regarding the clinical effectiveness of IOP-lowering medication for OHT and POAG. Once the panel identified the criteria, the order of priority and the relative importance of these criteria were then established in the setting of 3 risk categories (low, medium, and high) for a patient to experience significant visual disability from glaucoma over their expected life span. RESULTS: The panel identified 5 criteria to determine the characteristics of IOP-lowering medication for OHT and POAG: IOP-lowering effect, systemic adverse events (AEs), ocular tolerability, compliance/administration, and cost of treatment. IOP-lowering effect was consistently ranked as the highest priority and cost as the lowest. The priority of compliance/administration did not vary by clinical situation. Systemic AEs and ocular tolerability were ranked as higher priorities in initial monotherapy than in adjunctive treatment and ranked lower as the risk for visual disability increased. The priority given to the criteria used to determine clinical effectiveness varied both with the risk for functional vision loss from glaucoma and whether initial monotherapy or adjunctive treatment was being considered. CONCLUSION:Glaucoma treatment should be assessed with regard to the need not only to lower IOP but also to minimize systemic and ocular AEs, promote patient compliance, and minimize cost. The order of priority and relative importance given to these treatment criteria will vary as part of individualizing patient care.
Authors: Michael A Kass; Dale K Heuer; Eve J Higginbotham; Chris A Johnson; John L Keltner; J Philip Miller; Richard K Parrish; M Roy Wilson; Mae O Gordon Journal: Arch Ophthalmol Date: 2002-06