Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss for people over 60 years old. There are no early symptoms, and nearly half of the people who have glaucoma are unaware of it.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve, a part of the eye that is responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. When the fluid in the eye doesn’t drain properly, the pressure within the eye increases. It damages the optic nerve and leads to partial or complete vision loss.

As the eye pressure can change throughout the day, a single visit to the ophthalmologist often isn’t enough to detect the disease. This is why it is necessary to have regular eye exams. Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, several treatment options are available to patients today including eye drop medications and surgery.  Even though the loss of vision due to glaucoma is irreversible, treatment helps stop the progression of the disease.

GCT has conducted a number of studies in glaucoma and other eye diseases. Currently we are managing a phase III trial in ocular hypertension or primary open angle glaucoma. We are hopeful about further development of the treatment options’ efficacy.