This often-cited 2019 article published by a leading group of canine glaucoma researchers and doctors examines possible future treatments for canine glaucoma including exciting work in gene and stem cell therapy. The article, “The future of canine glaucoma therapy”, is published Open Access thanks to funding provided by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and the Veterinary Ophthalmology journal and was authored authored by invited participants in the ACVO Vision for Animal Foundation (VAF)’s Canine Glaucoma Think Tank (November 2017) and Canine Glaucoma Consortium*, has been published in Veterinary Ophthalmology. .
*Authors: András M. Komáromy, Dineli Bras, Douglas W. Esson, Ronald L. Fellman, Sinisa D. Grozdanic, Larry Kagemann, Paul E. Miller, Sayoko E. Moroi, Caryn E. Plummer, John S. Sapienza, Eric S. Storey, Leandro B. Texeira, Carol B. Toris, Terah R. Webb.
Abstract: “Abstract Canine glaucoma is a group of disorders that are generally associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in a characteristic optic neuropathy. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in dogs and may be either primary or secondary. Despite the growing spectrum of medical and surgical therapies, there is no cure, and many affected dogs go blind. Often eyes are enucleated because of painfully high, uncontrollable IOP. While progressive vision loss due to primary glaucoma is considered preventable in some humans, this is mostly not true for dogs. There is an urgent need for more effective, affordable treatment options. Because newly developed glaucoma medications are emerging at a very slow rate and may not be effective in dogs, work toward improving surgical options may be the most rewarding approach in the near term. This Viewpoint Article summarizes the discussions and recommended research strategies of both a Think Tank and a Consortium focused on the development of more effective therapies for canine glaucoma; both were organized and funded by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Vision for Animals Foundation (ACVO-VAF). The recommendations consist of (a) better understanding of disease mechanisms, (b) early glaucoma diagnosis and disease staging, (c) optimization of IOP-lowering medical treatment, (d) new surgical therapies to control IOP, and (e) novel treatment strategies, such as gene and stem cell therapies, neuroprotection, and neuroregeneration. In order to address these needs, increases in research funding specifically focused on canine glaucoma are necessary.”
Summary: “While much progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of canine glaucoma, there is still no cure and many affected dogs go blind. The improved knowledge of disease mechanisms and the development of reliable biomarkers are critical so that animals at risk or in early stages of disease can be identified more readily. Early diagnosis facilitates effective, mechanism-based treatment before the occurrence of any clinically appreciable optic nerve damage and vision loss. To achieve these goals, we recommend research priorities for clinicians and basic scientists. One of the main limitations in these efforts is the scarcity of major research funding specifically dedicated to canine disease.”