Current and Emerging Therapies for Glaucoma: A Narrative Review

The main goals of glaucoma management are to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and enhance ocular perfusion. Though current therapeutic modalities—including pharmacological agents, laser procedures, and surgical interventions—have shown efficacy, certain limitations persist. Major issues include suboptimal adherence to topical drugs and the possibility of both transient and long-term consequences following laser or surgical treatment. These limitations call for the development of alternative and more effective therapeutic approaches. Novel approaches, such as sustained-release implants, drug-eluting contact lenses, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, ocular microneedles, and iontophoresis, promise more sustained, targeted IOP reduction. However, challenges like cost and accessibility could hinder their broad clinical acceptance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of both conventional and emerging methods of glaucoma treatment, comparing their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and related constraints. It also combines pharmacological approaches, fundamental ophthalmological concepts, and recent technological advancements, which together drive the progression of present and future therapeutic modalities