Evidence-Based Practice in the Management of Glaucoma Suspects

Summary One in ten Australians over 50 years old are considered glaucoma suspects and are at risk of developing irreversible vision loss. This project aims to synthesise and critically appraise current evidence related to the clinical management of glaucoma suspects, in order to provide evidence-based guidance and identify key knowledge gaps to address in prospective studies.

Project Details

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Australia and worldwide, with half of the those with this condition being undiagnosed. Approximately one in ten Australians over 50 years old would fit the criteria for being a glaucoma suspect, but there is limited evidence about how to identify those at high-risk of developing glaucoma and who prophylactic treatment is warranted for. The main evidence guiding the management of glaucoma suspects is based on two trials for those with ocular hypertension (i.e. raised intraocular pressure) from over 20 years ago, and individuals with ocular hypertension make up less than a half of those with suspected glaucoma.

This project will thus involve synthesising and critically appraising the evidence currently available, as well as obtaining prospective data on current practice patterns on the management of glaucoma suspects, so as to provide evidence-based guidance and identify key knowledge gaps that requires robust, prospective studies to address.