New classes of glaucoma medications.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss recent advances in the medical management of glaucoma and to highlight future medical therapies currently in development.


RESULTS
In 1996, latanoprost (Xalatan) was approved in the United States as a new chemical entity and new class (prostaglandin analogs) for the topical treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. In the period from the late 1990s-2010s, while there were additional new chemical entities, fixed dose combinations, and formulation improvements, there were no new classes of ocular hypotensive medications approved worldwide. We summarize new pharmacological treatments that are currently in clinical trials - new classes, new molecules and new delivery systems.


CONCLUSIONS
Although challenges in medical treatment of glaucoma exist, particularly in patient adherence, medical therapy remains the first line treatment for almost all glaucoma patients. Few new medications for glaucoma therapy are currently available for our patients, but multiple drugs with novel mechanisms of action, new formulations, and new delivery mechanisms are currently in development.
aUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland bPharmaLogic Development Inc., San Rafael, California, USA cDepartments of Pharmacology and Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, California dUniversity of Michigan, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan eJohns Hopkins University Department of Ophthalmology and School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Emily M
EM
Schehlein
Gary D
GD
Novack
Alan L
AL
Robin
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058906:Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000819:agonists; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D058906:Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D000077338:Latanoprost; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases