Glaucoma Innovations: Doing Our Best for Patients

Treating glaucoma can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities in ophthalmology.

We see our patients regularly, talk with them about their goals and concerns, and help them weigh the risks and benefits of different therapies to treat a lifelong condition that can be quite unpredictable. It’s a special relationship. Our patients trust us to not only provide excellent care presently but also to innovate better modalities going forward.

This edition of Clinical Focus highlights many ways our team at the John A. Moran Eye Center is advancing glaucoma care and research.

You’ll find an overview of our Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, led by Iqbal “Ike” K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC. If anyone has championed innovation for the benefit of their patients, it has been Dr. Ahmed—widely known as one of the top ophthalmic surgeons in the world and at the forefront in the development of micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

Dr. Ahmed highlights potential new devices utilizing the supraciliary space while other Moran physicians discuss their approaches to care in complex cases. Craig Chaya, MD, reviews an aniridia-associated case, while Austin Nakatsuka, MD, looks at the use of topical netarsudil in multiple situations.

Other members of our team of eight specialists share innovative new technology-based approaches to glaucoma management. Brian Stagg, MD, discusses a computer-based prototype for managing care; Barbara Wirostko, MD, highlights the value of adding at-home self-tonometry to care models; and Susan Chortkoff, MD, shares the increased role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment. Rachel Simpson, MD, delivers keys to use when talking with patients about MIGS. You’ll also find details on our expanded online glaucoma education at morancore.utah.edu.

I hope you will find this edition of Clinical Focus useful as we all continue to do our very best for our glaucoma patients.

Sincerely, Norm A. Zabriskie, MD

Dr. Zabriskie is a glaucoma specialist and division chief of glaucoma at the John A. Moran Eye Center. He is professor, vice-chair and medical director of clinical services, and executive director of clinical operations.