Controversial study says high eye pressures always need treatment

A study published in the journal of Archives of Ophthalmology reveals that patients who are treated for their ocular hypertension lessened their risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma by almost 50% among all who are at risk. This was true even for African Americans who experience a higher incidence of the disease than do Caucasians. Ocular hypertension is a risk factor for developing primary open angle glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma is caused when pressure in the eye causes slow vision loss. The study involved 1,636 people who were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received a topical medication which treats ocular hypertension and the second group was just observed. The two groups were followed for an average of 7.5 years and then the observation group was given the topical medication as well. The two groups were then followed for an average of 5.5 years. What researchers determined was that taking the topical medication for 10 years decreased the occurrence of developing primary open angle glaucoma.*