Glaucoma, Vision & Longevity: Supplements & Science

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Discover the latest science on glaucoma, vision, and longevity. Each episode explores evidence-based supplements for eye health, healthy aging, and lifespan extension. Original articles backed by real scientific research. All source links available at visualfieldtest.com, where you can also take a free visual field test online. Subscribe for weekly insights on glaucoma treatment, glaucoma prevention, vision supplements, and longevity research that could protect your sight and extend your healthspan.MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content presented should not replace professional medical consultation.Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Never stop or modify prescribed treatments without consulting your ophthalmologist or healthcare provider.The supplements and research discussed are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and supplements are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing eye conditions or are taking medications.The visual field test available at visualfieldtest.com is a screening tool only and does not replace comprehensive eye exams by a licensed professional.

  1. ER-100 Clinical Trial for Glaucoma: What We Know So Far and What to Expect

    22H AGO

    ER-100 Clinical Trial for Glaucoma: What We Know So Far and What to Expect

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/er-100-clinical-trial-for-glaucoma-what-we-know-so-far-and-what-to-expect Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: ER-100: A New Gene Therapy Trial for Glaucoma and Optic NeuropathiesGlaucoma is a leading cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. It happens when the delicate nerves that carry images from the eye to the brain (the retinal ganglion cells, or RGCs) are damaged or die. In most glaucoma patients, this nerve damage is linked to high intraocular pressure (eye pressure), so current treatments (eye drops, lasers, or surgery) focus on lowering that pressure () (). However, even with good pressure control, many patients continue to lose vision over time. In fact, some people develop “normal-tension” glaucoma, where their eye pressure is never high, yet the optic nerve still deteriorates () (). This shows that glaucoma therapies based only on pressure relief can slow the disease but cannot reverse it. Another related condition, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), causes sudden vision loss due to poor blood flow to the optic nerve (often called “stroke of the eye”). Unfortunately, there are no approved treatments for NAION, so patients have to wait and hope for some natural recovery, which often never comes (). Because of these gaps – few ways to actually protect or restore the optic nerve – researchers are excited about a completely new approach called ER-100. This is an experimental gene therapy being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial (starting in 2026) for people with open-angle glaucoma or recent NAION. ER-100 does not target eye pressure at all. Instead, it aims to rejuvenate the aged or damaged cells in the retina and optic nerve by turning back their “cellular clock” () (). In simple terms, ER-100 delivers genetic instructions to the eye’s nerves that may help them behave like younger, healthier cells. How ER-100 Works: “Partial Reprogramming” of Eye CellsER-100 is a first-of-its-kind therapy based on partial epigenetic reprogramming. It makes use of a discovery by Nobel laureate Dr. Shinya Yamanaka (who found that certain genes can reset a cell’s age). Specifically, ER-100 carries three of the four Yamanaka genes – OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 (often abbreviated OSK) – into the eye (). These genes are delivered by harmless viruses (modified adeno-associated viruses, or AAVs) injected directly into the gel of the eye (the vitreous) (). Once in the retinal nerve cells, the viral carrier gives those cells the instructions to make the OSK proteins. The idea is that the OSK proteins will reset some of the cells’ molecular markers – their epigenetic marks – restoring a more youthful gene activity pattern without actually changing the cells’ DNA () (). Importantly, ER-100 uses a safety feature: the OSK genes are under control of a “switch” that responds to doxycycline, a common antibiotic () (). Patients in the trial will take low-dose doxycycline for about 8 weeks after the injection. This enables the OSK genes to turn on only during treatment. Once the doxycycline is stopped, the cells reduce OSK activity. This makes it transient gene therapy (temporary gene expression) aimed just at re-setting cell age rather than permanently changing the cells. Because ER-100 only delivers three factors (leaving out the fourth Yamanaka factor, c-Myc, which is linked to tumor risk), the company hopes Support the show

    17 min
  2. Glaucoma Eye Drops, Dry Eye, and Sleep Quality: Exploring Hidden Connections and What Patients Can Do

    1D AGO

    Glaucoma Eye Drops, Dry Eye, and Sleep Quality: Exploring Hidden Connections and What Patients Can Do

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/glaucoma-eye-drops-dry-eye-and-sleep-quality-exploring-hidden-connections-and-what-patients-can-do Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Introduction People with glaucoma often rely on daily eye drops to protect their vision. These medications lower eye pressure, but over months or years they can sometimes irritate the ocular surface (the cornea and surrounding tissues). Many glaucoma drops contain preservatives or active ingredients that may dry out the eyes or cause inflammation. At the same time, dry eye disease (insufficient or poor-quality tear film) is common and can disrupt sleep. In fact, recent research shows that people with dry eye often report worse sleep quality than those without it () (). This article explores how glaucoma eye drops might contribute to dry eye and whether that could affect sleep – especially REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the eyes rock back and forth under closed lids. We’ll look at what studies say about these links and suggest practical steps patients can take. How Glaucoma Eye Drops Affect the Ocular Surface Glaucoma eye drops protect vision but can irritate the eye. This irritation usually comes from the medicine’s ingredients or the preservatives used to keep the drops sterile. For example, benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a very common preservative in glaucoma medications, and it is known to damage the tear film and cells on the eye surface () (). Even small doses of BAK can break apart the protective tear layer, causing burning, stinging, redness or a foreign-body sensation () (). Newer formulations try to minimize this by using gentler preservatives (like SofZia or Polyquad ()) or going preservative-free. Clinical studies show that patients on preservative-containing eyedrops report much more irritation and surface damage than those using preservative-free versions () (). Besides preservatives, the active ingredients of glaucoma drugs can also affect tear production. For instance, beta-blocker drops (like timolol) can reduce tear secretion and cause dryness. Other drugs (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha agonists, and even some prostaglandin analogs) may also cause mild burning or redness in sensitive patients () (). Over time, the chronic use of these medicines can inflame the ocular surface and even change the glands that keep the eyes lubricated. A Korean study noted that glaucoma medications – not just their preservatives – can cause chronic ocular surface inflammation and alter the tear-producing meibomian glands (). Several studies have confirmed that glaucoma patients tend to show signs of dry eye. For example, Sahlu and colleagues found that people on multi-drop glaucoma therapy had significantly more dry eye findings (like shorter tear break-up time and more corneal staining) than control subjects (). The Pakistani study reported lower tear film stability (short TBUT) and higher corneal staining in glaucoma patients, especially those using multiple medications per day (). Importantly, more drops per day or more medications generally means worse ocular surface effects. In one trial, patients on glaucoma drugs had a significant drop in the lipid layer of their tears and worse dry-eye symptom scores in the first 6–12 months of treatment () (). In short, long-term use of glaucoma eye drops – especially in polypharmacy – can l Support the show

    16 min
  3. The Ocular Microbiome, Inflammaging, and Surface Health

    1D AGO

    The Ocular Microbiome, Inflammaging, and Surface Health

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/the-ocular-microbiome-inflammaging-and-surface-health Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Introduction Our eyes are covered by a thin film of tears and a community of harmless microbes – the ocular surface microbiome – that help protect them. This microbiome normally lives in balance, but as we age the balance shifts. Aging brings a chronic, low-level inflammation (often called “inflammaging” ()) which can affect all tissues, including the eyes. The result is a higher risk of conditions like dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) – where the oil glands in the eyelids don’t work well. These conditions cause tear film instability and irritation. In recent years, researchers have found that age-related changes in the eye’s microbial community are linked to this inflammation and surface disease. Understanding these changes is important for keeping older eyes healthy. For example, a study of healthy volunteers found that tears and eyelid bacteria became “more inflammatory” with age – older people had higher levels of inflammatory molecules (like ICAM-1 and IL-8) on the conjunctiva after age 60 (). Over the years older eyes often make fewer and thinner tears () and blink less, which may let more irritants and microbes accumulate. At the same time, enzymes and toxins from certain eyelid bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus) can stimulate inflammation and damage the tear film () (). In a combined effect, an aged ocular surface can become chronically irritated. Recent studies confirm that the mix of microbes on the eye changes with age. Using DNA sequencing, scientists showed that “young” and “old” adult eyes have different bacterial communities and gene functions (). In other words, growing older appears to reshape which bacteria thrive on the eye. These shifts seem to favor some types of microbes that can make inflammation worse. (Older patients often also use eye drops for conditions like glaucoma; those drops – especially if they contain preservatives – further alter the ocular flora ().) In short, aging eyes often show microbial changes that go along with a tired tear film and low-grade eyelid inflammation. Age-Related Microbiome Changes and Ocular Surface Inflammation Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Dry eye disease (DED) is very common in older adults. It happens when the tears can no longer keep the eye surface wet and nourished. DED has two major forms: one where the tear glands make too little water, and another where tears evaporate too quickly (often because of poor oil quality). The oil layer of tears comes from the meibomian glands in the eyelids. As people age, these glands more often become blocked or change their normal oil composition. This meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) leads to very oily tears or no oil at all, making eyes dry and inflamed. In fact, about 70% of dry eye patients have MGD (). Recent research has found that the bacteria living in and around the meibomian glands are different in MGD. Shotgun DNA sequencing of meibum (the gland oil) showed that people with MGD have a “distinct microbiota” in their eyelid secretions (). For example, potentially harmful bacteria like Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Enterococcus faecium were abundant in MGD glands but nearly absent in healthy controls (). These bacteria carry genes for strong virulence factors (such as immu Support the show

    20 min
  4. Methods of Visual Field Testing in Glaucoma: How They Differ and What Each Reveals

    3D AGO

    Methods of Visual Field Testing in Glaucoma: How They Differ and What Each Reveals

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/methods-of-visual-field-testing-in-glaucoma-how-they-differ-and-what-each-reveals Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Introduction Glaucoma often progresses without symptoms, quietly damaging the optic nerve and shrinking the visual field (the full scope of what you can see). Periodic visual field testing is essential to catch this loss early. These tests map what you see when fixating straight ahead, helping doctors monitor glaucoma and adjust treatment. Visual field tests vary widely in how they work and what they measure. Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) – the kind done with a Humphrey Field Analyzer – is the most common test in clinics () (). Specialized perimeters and new technologies (like virtual reality or tablet apps) are emerging. Each method has strengths and limits in speed, comfort, accuracy, and early detection. This article reviews the main types of glaucoma visual field tests: how they work, what they measure, and how they differ. It will help patients understand the tests they might encounter and guide doctors on which tool best fits different needs.Conventional Visual Field Testing Automated Static Perimetry (Humphrey, Octopus) The Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) and similar machines (e.g. Octopus) perform static automated perimetry, the current clinical standard (). In these bowl-shaped devices, the patient stares at a fixed central point while small spots of light appear one by one at locations across the field (typically within 24° or 30° of center). For each spot, the patient presses a button if they see the light. The machine automatically adjusts light intensity (“threshold”) to find the dimmest visible spot at each point. Eye-tracking and random “catch” trials (e.g. sometimes no light is shown) check reliability. SAP uses white-on-white stimuli, meaning gray lights on a white background (). A built-in database compares the patient’s sensitivity map to normal values. The results include measures like Mean Deviation (MD) and a visual field index, which summarize how much vision has been lost overall. In practice SAP detects and tracks the classic glaucomatous defects (such as nasal steps or arcuate scotomas) and shows progression over time () (). Static perimetry is highly quantitative, but it has downsides. The test can take 5–10 minutes per eye, requiring concentration (patients sometimes get tired or distracted) (). Errors from fatigue, tiredness or inattention (“false positives” or “false negatives”) are tracked, but variability remains an issue (). In practice, many patients need multiple tests before a stable baseline is found. On the plus side, SAP results are well-understood: clinicians know how to interpret an HFA printout. Special algorithms like SITA Fast or SITA Faster speed up testing while keeping results accurate (). Newer SAP protocols (e.g. adding extra central test points) may boost early detection and reduce test time (). Overall, automated static perimetry is the workhorse of glaucoma care. Manual (Kinetic) Perimetry – Goldmann Perimeter Before computers, Goldmann perimetry was the standard. A trained technician manually moved a bright light of fixed size and intensity across a hemispherical bowl. The patient signaled when they first saw the moving light, tracing out isopters (lines of equal sensitivity) across the field. This kinetic method can map very wide Support the show

    24 min
  5. The Limitations of Visual Field Testing in Glaucoma: Frequency, Subjectivity, and What Gets Missed

    4D AGO

    The Limitations of Visual Field Testing in Glaucoma: Frequency, Subjectivity, and What Gets Missed

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/the-limitations-of-visual-field-testing-in-glaucoma-frequency-subjectivity-and-what-gets-missed Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: The Limitations of Visual Field Testing in Glaucoma: Frequency, Subjectivity, and What Gets MissedGlaucoma is a chronic optic nerve disease often called the “silent thief of sight.” It causes gradual, irreversible loss of vision. The main way doctors track glaucoma progression is through visual field (VF) tests: automated perimetry exams that map the patient’s peripheral vision. In theory, these tests let clinicians spot vision loss early and adjust treatment. But in practice, standard visual field testing has important shortcomings. This article discusses why VF tests are often done too infrequently, how their subjective nature and patient factors add noise, and what kinds of vision loss these tests can miss. We will also review research on the test’s reliability and what scientists and doctors do to tell true progression from random fluctuation. Finally, we will highlight new technologies under study and give practical tips for patients and providers to get the most out of visual field exams.Frequency of Visual Field TestingGuidelines vs. Real-World Practice Most glaucoma guidelines stress frequent monitoring, especially soon after diagnosis. For example, expert recommendations suggest newly diagnosed patients get about three VF tests per year in the first two years to establish a reliable baseline and detect “fast progressors” early (). In fact, one modeling study concluded that six tests in two years (i.e. three per year) are needed to reliably measure a typical glaucoma progression rate of ~1 dB/year (). The European Glaucoma Society (EGS) adopted this schedule into its guidelines. However, surveys and audits show that in practice glaucoma patients are tested far less often. In one large UK audit (n≈90,000 patients), VF testing was done on average only once per year (). In the United States, a national insurance-data study found a median frequency of only 0.63 VF tests per year among open-angle glaucoma patients (). Over 75% of patients had less than one test per year, falling short of recommended annual monitoring () (). In other words, most patients go more than a year between fields, even though an earlier analysis suggests annual testing would already delay detection by years (see below). Clinicians often cite constraints on time and resources for the low testing cadence ().Impact of Infrequent TestingWhy does frequency matter? Because glaucoma usually progresses slowly, doctors rely on multiple VF tests over time to detect a meaningful trend. Sparse testing greatly delays awareness of vision loss. For example, Che Hamzah et al. estimate that detecting a loss of 1 dB/year would take about 6 years if fields are done once a year, but only around 2 years if tests are done 3 times/year (). In other words, infrequent fields can leave patients at risk of unnoticed loss. Delays in spotting progression can mean delayed treatment changes — and once nerve fibers die, vision cannot be recovered. In economic modeling, more frequent early testing (3x/year) in high-risk patients was actually cost-effective by catching “fast progressors” sooner (). Nevertheless, many ophthalmologists and clinics do not follow these intensive protocols. UK and US survey data found that provider Support the show

    20 min
  6. Home Tonometry and Remote Monitoring in Glaucoma – A Patient-Centered Investigation

    4D AGO

    Home Tonometry and Remote Monitoring in Glaucoma – A Patient-Centered Investigation

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/home-tonometry-and-remote-monitoring-in-glaucoma-a-patient-centered-investigation Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Home Tonometry and Remote Monitoring in Glaucoma – A Patient-Centered InvestigationGlaucoma care has traditionally relied on eye clinic visits every few months to check intraocular pressure (IOP). But IOP actually goes up and down over the day and night. In fact, studies show that a single office measurement misses the true peak pressure most of the time (). These hidden spikes may contribute to glaucoma progression. New handheld devices let patients measure their own IOP at home. For a patient, this could mean a more complete picture of their eye pressure, potentially catching worrisome rises early. In this article, we review how these home tonometry tools work, what it’s like to use one, and whether the extra data helps protect vision – as well as practical issues like cost, training, and the patient experience.Home IOP Monitoring Devices on the MarketThe main type of home tonometer approved for patients is the rebound tonometer. Instead of the clinic “puff” or a weighted cuff, a rebound tonometer uses a tiny probe that bounces off the cornea and measures the IOP from the rebound speed. Two examples are:iCare HOME – This is a FDA-cleared, hand-held rebound tonometer approved for patient use. The device uses a disposable probe and magnetic launch system. When ready, it emits a short magnetic pulse sending the probe toward the eye. The probe touches the cornea and rebounds back. A built-in sensor calculates IOP from how fast the probe rebounds (). No numbing drops are needed (the probe impact is so quick it’s usually painless). The iCare HOME has adjustable forehead and cheek rests to help the patient hold it in the right position, and lights on the probe base that show green when alignment is correct (). The patient pushes a button when the device is aligned, which triggers six quick readings. The final IOP is the average of those readings (dropping the highest and lowest of the six) (). Tono-Vera (Reichert Tono-Vera) – This is a newer clinically-approved tether-free rebound tonometer (about $800) that offers a live camera view of the eye to guide proper alignment. Like iCare, it uses a micro-probe and automatic measurements without anesthetic. It displays readings immediately and color-codes their reliability on the screen. This device is typically marketed to doctors, but its portable design could also allow home use with training. Other approaches exist but are less common for home use. For example, Sensimed Triggerfish is a contact-lens sensor used in specialized settings. A soft lens embedded with strain gauges continuously records tiny eye shape changes over 24 hours, giving a pressure pattern rather than an absolute mmHg reading (). It is FDA-cleared for research and some clinical use, but it is bulky (one-use, overnight device) and doesn’t show a straightforward pressure number. It is currently not something a patient buys for daily home checks, but it illustrates the push toward around-the-clock monitoring. (Similarly, experimental implantable sensors are under development.)In practice today, if a doctor wants a patient’s home IOP, they usually prescribe or loan an iCare HOME tonometer (including its new-generation “HOME2” model). Companies like MyEyes sell or rent these Support the show

    26 min
  7. Predicting Glaucoma Before It Starts: How Close Are We to Genetic Risk Scores That Actually Change Patient Outcomes?

    6D AGO

    Predicting Glaucoma Before It Starts: How Close Are We to Genetic Risk Scores That Actually Change Patient Outcomes?

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/predicting-glaucoma-before-it-starts-how-close-are-we-to-genetic-risk-scores-that-actually-change-patient-outcomes Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Predicting Glaucoma Before It Starts: How Close Are We to Genetic Risk Scores That Actually Change Patient Outcomes?Glaucoma – a group of diseases damaging the optic nerve – is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide (). Globally it affects tens of millions of people, a number expected to grow with aging populations (). The most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is often silent in its early stages. In fact, studies estimate roughly half of glaucoma cases remain undiagnosed until vision loss begins () (). This is unfortunate because early detection matters: standard treatments (eye drops, laser or surgery to lower intraocular pressure) can effectively slow or halt progression when started early () (). Glaucoma’s insidious onset but treatable nature makes it an ideal candidate for predictive screening. Genetics offers one promising avenue. POAG is highly heritable – first-degree relatives have about a 9-fold higher risk than average! (). Estimates put genetic heritability of POAG at roughly 70–80% () (). These facts suggest that a person’s DNA contains valuable clues to their future glaucoma risk.Early clinics have long tested for rare single-gene mutations (e.g. MYOC, OPTN) in families with juvenile or early-onset glaucoma (). But such Mendelian variants account for only a small minority of cases () (). Most glaucoma is polygenic: influenced by many common genetic variants each contributing a small risk. Over the past decade, large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of genomic loci linked to glaucoma and related traits () (). For example, a 2023 study (N > 600,000 Europeans plus multi-ancestry cohorts) found 263 independent risk loci, and further expanded this to 312 loci by including diverse populations (). These discoveries go beyond intraocular pressure genes – they include factors involved in optic nerve structure and even immune pathways. Such rich genetic data raise the question: can we summarize an individual’s inherited risk into a single score that meaningfully predicts future glaucoma?Polygenic Risk Scores for GlaucomaA polygenic risk score (PRS) does exactly that: it adds up the small effects of thousands of common genetic variants into one number (). In simple terms, a PRS estimates how a person’s DNA influences their chance of developing a disease. Importantly, a PRS is not a diagnosis – it is a probabilistic risk estimate (). For glaucoma, researchers have now built PRS using well-established risk variants and tested them in large cohorts. The results are encouraging: people in the highest percentiles of the glaucoma PRS are at substantially higher risk of the disease than those with average scores () (). For example, one study in an Australian population used hundreds of variants related to eye pressure and optic nerve shape. Individuals in the top PRS decile had about 5–6 times the odds of developing glaucoma compared to those in the bottom decile (). Another comprehensive PRS (using thousands of SNPs for glaucoma and its related traits) showed an even larger effect: the top decile had roughly 10–20× the risk of glaucoma relative to the bottom dec Support the show

    18 min
  8. Glaucoma Clinical Trials Launched in 2025: A Complete Overview

    JAN 31

    Glaucoma Clinical Trials Launched in 2025: A Complete Overview

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/glaucoma-clinical-trials-launched-in-2025-a-complete-overview Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Glaucoma Clinical Trials Launched in 2025: A Complete OverviewIntroduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting an estimated 76 million people in 2020 (projected to exceed 100 million by 2040) (). Treatment of glaucoma has traditionally focused on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) with medications or surgery to slow vision loss. In recent years research has broadened to include novel drug targets, sustained-release delivery systems, neuroprotective agents and digital health tools. A 2021 analysis of trial registries found that 63% of glaucoma trials were treatment trials – mostly testing medical (IOP-lowering) therapies – with only ~5% targeting neuroprotection (). This year (2025), numerous new trials have begun worldwide, reflecting both that traditional focus and exciting new directions. Below we summarize selected 2025-start trials by category, highlighting their goals, interventions, patient groups, sponsors, locations, and timelines. Notable trends and gaps in these efforts are discussed.Emerging Drug Therapies GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g. Semaglutide): Recently, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists – drugs already used for diabetes – have shown promise in glaucoma animal models. For example, a 2025 rat study reported that systemic semaglutide delayed IOP elevation and protected retinal neurons in an ocular hypertension model (). Motivated by this, Danish investigators have launched the “ABSALON” trial (NCT06792422) – a Phase 2 study of oral semaglutide in adults with open-angle glaucoma. Sponsored by Glostrup University Hospital (Copenhagen), this trial (first posted Jan 2025) will test whether daily semaglutide can improve retinal function or slow glaucoma progression () (). Patients with established open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension are being enrolled. Results are expected in the next few years.New Eye Drops and Supplements: Beyond GLP-1 drugs, other novel compounds are under study. For example, Ocular Neuroenhancement: Early trials of high-dose vitamin B3 (nicotinamide, a NAD precursor) have shown encouraging retinal effects. A small trial found that 3–4 g/day nicotinamide improved inner retinal function in glaucoma patients (). Building on this, larger trials are underway: one American study is comparing different NAD precursors versus placebo in glaucoma patients (recruiting as of mid-2025). These studies test whether boosting retinal energy metabolism can protect vision () (). Other new eyedrops in phase 1/2 trials include experimental IOP-lowering agents (e.g. novel prostaglandin analogs, rho-kinase inhibitors like H-1337, or nitric oxide donors) and compounds thought to improve optic nerve health. However, detailed results of those are still pending.Oral Medications: In addition to semaglutide, other systemic drugs are being repurposed. Investigators are comparing oral supplements and metabolic drugs for glaucoma. For instance, a planned study will compare nicotinamide riboside (another form of vitamin B3) versus placebo over two years to see if it slows disease. (A prior small trial showed visual improvements with nicotinamide ().) These neuroprotective strategies reflect a trend away from only chasing IOP-lowering toward directly supporting ret Support the show

    12 min
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About

Discover the latest science on glaucoma, vision, and longevity. Each episode explores evidence-based supplements for eye health, healthy aging, and lifespan extension. Original articles backed by real scientific research. All source links available at visualfieldtest.com, where you can also take a free visual field test online. Subscribe for weekly insights on glaucoma treatment, glaucoma prevention, vision supplements, and longevity research that could protect your sight and extend your healthspan.MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content presented should not replace professional medical consultation.Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Never stop or modify prescribed treatments without consulting your ophthalmologist or healthcare provider.The supplements and research discussed are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and supplements are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing eye conditions or are taking medications.The visual field test available at visualfieldtest.com is a screening tool only and does not replace comprehensive eye exams by a licensed professional.

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