IOP: Fluctuation
Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States [1, 2] and worldwide [3]. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven means to slow or halt disease progression in those at higher risk of developing glaucoma (Ocular Hyper-tension Treatment Study [OHTS]) [4], in those with early to moderate glaucoma (Collaborative Initial Glau-coma Treatment Study [CIGTS] [5] and Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial [EMGT] [6, 7], in those with more advanced glaucoma (Collaborative Initial Normal-Tension Glaucoma Study [CNTGS] [8, 9] and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study [AGIS] [10]. Across all randomized, controlled trials, lowering IOP by at least 18% (mean) from baseline results in a 40% or greater reduction in glaucoma progression over 5 years [5-7, 9]. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.