Glaucoma patients’ treatment decision checklists may include worries about the ability to drive or maintain mobility outside the home—especially if they are thinking of opting for a new treatment, a study in Ophthalmology Glaucoma reports. Researchers from Maryland delved into patients’ perspectives and experiences living with glaucoma and the risks and benefits that were important to them when considering new treatments such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).

The study included 10 male and 15 female patients with an average age of 69 seen at a glaucoma clinic for suspected or diagnosed ocular hypertension or mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma.

Researchers conducted in-person interviews and found four main areas of concern among the patients:

• Limitations in performing specific vision-dependent activities of daily living
• Problems with general visual function or perceptions
• Treatment burden, including ocular adverse events
• Intraocular pressure (IOP)

Investigators noted all 25 participants expressed some concerns with their ability to perform vision-dependent activities such as reading and driving. They also found most participants (23) had an opinion about IOP—and among those currently taking ocular hypotensive eye drops, all recognized the relationship between the drops and IOP.

The study outcomes will be important in future evaluations of new treatments for glaucoma, the researchers said.