Editorial: The latest in glaucoma - David Garway Heath

David Garway-Heath looks at exciting advances 
and effective treatments for glaucoma

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David Garway-Heath
It is my great pleasure to introduce this issue of EuroTimes, which has a special focus on glaucoma. Glaucoma is the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. With that in mind, it is imperative that efforts to arrest or slow its development are as effective as possible. New treatments must be rigorously tested and their efficacy proven. One of the most exciting advances over the past decade has been the rise of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). My colleague at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Mr Keith Barton, discusses the latest in MIGS, along with Dr Ike Ahmed, who coined the term MIGS, and Dr Philippe Denis, President of the French Glaucoma Society. They look at the various devices on the market, what procedures are suitable for which patients and what can be learned from the withdrawal of the CyPass Micro-Stent, both from the perspective of industry and everyday practice. They also look to the future, and the potential of sustained-release drug-delivery devices for lowering intraocular pressure. Apart from MIGS, this issue also features articles examining the latest in selective laser trabeculoplasty for primary open-angle glaucoma, the power of OCT angiography in assessing glaucoma, innovative new IOP-lowering agents and a wearable brain-based device called that incorporates virtual reality and could help improve diagnosis and prevent vision loss. Also included in this issue are the first shortlisted entries for the John Henahan Writing Prize. The prize, now in its 12th year, is named in honour of John Henahan, who edited EuroTimes, the official news magazine of the ESCRS, from 1996 to 2001. The topic for discussion is ‘How To Balance Ophthalmology And Family Life', and each one tackles this question with insight and flair. Finally, as President of the European Glaucoma Society, I look forward to meeting our colleagues at the forthcoming ESCRS Glaucoma Day, on Friday 13 September. This will take place at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, immediately preceding the 37th Congress of the ECSRS. Registration is open and the programme will be announced very soon. David Garway-Heath, President, European Glaucoma Society
Tags: glaucoma