Review
Hamza Alasbily1🖂, Fardous Ali Fahmi2, Majdi Abdulhamid Abdala3, Ali Alkaseh4, Adnan Asheibi5, Nadia Abdelsalam Geilani6, Amr Samir7
(1)Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
(2)Program of Basic Medical Science, School of Health and Medical Science, Libyan International University, Benghazi, Libya.
(3)Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
(4)Faculty of Dentistry, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
(5)Faculty of Medicine, Libyan International University, Benghazi, Libya.
(6)Benghazi Teaching Eye Hospital, Benghazi, Libya.
(7)Magrabi Eye Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.
* Correspondence to: hamzah.mustafa@uob.edu.ly
pp. 115-131
Abstract
The main goals of glaucoma management are to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and enhance ocular perfusion. Though current therapeutic modalities—including pharmacological agents, laser procedures, and surgical interventions—have shown efficacy, certain limitations persist. Major issues include suboptimal adherence to topical drugs and the possibility of both transient and long-term consequences following laser or surgical treatment. These limitations call for the development of alternative and more effective therapeutic approaches. Novel approaches, such as sustained-release implants, drug-eluting contact lenses, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, ocular microneedles, and iontophoresis, promise more sustained, targeted IOP reduction. However, challenges like cost and accessibility could hinder their broad clinical acceptance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of both conventional and emerging methods of glaucoma treatment, comparing their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and related constraints. It also combines pharmacological approaches, fundamental ophthalmological concepts, and recent technological advancements, which together drive the progression of present and future therapeutic modalities
The main goals of glaucoma management are to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and enhance ocular perfusion. Though current therapeutic modalities—including pharmacological agents, laser procedures, and surgical interventions—have shown efficacy, certain limitations persist. Major issues include suboptimal adherence to topical drugs and the possibility of both transient and long-term consequences following laser or surgical treatment. These limitations call for the development of alternative and more effective therapeutic approaches. Novel approaches, such as sustained-release implants, drug-eluting contact lenses, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, ocular microneedles, and iontophoresis, promise more sustained, targeted IOP reduction. However, challenges like cost and accessibility could hinder their broad clinical acceptance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of both conventional and emerging methods of glaucoma treatment, comparing their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and related constraints. It also combines pharmacological approaches, fundamental ophthalmological concepts, and recent technological advancements, which together drive the progression of present and future therapeutic modalitiesKeywords: Glaucoma, Intraocular Pressure (IOP), Glaucoma Surgeries, Glaucoma Laser Therapy, New Antiglaucoma Medications, Durysta Implant, iDose Implant, Iontophoresis, Ocular Microneedles, Ocular Plugs and Inserts.
First published: 10.06.2025
