Optimizing topical glaucoma treatment outcomes: When less is better. A review on the clinical benefits of reducing treatment burden in glaucoma management

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is primarily managed by lowering intraocular pressure, yet treatment remains limited by poor adherence, ocular surface toxicity, and systemic adverse effects. This review focuses specifically on treatment simplification strategies in topical glaucoma therapy, exploring the paradigm shift towards a “Less is better” approach in glaucoma care, with particular emphasis on the use of preservative -free formulations, lower active ingredient concentrations, and fixed combinations. These approaches aim to improve treatment tolerability, adherence, and clinical outcomes while minimizing toxicity, complexity, and environmental burden. Although barriers such as higher costs and limited long-term data remain, this new approach represents a patient-centred, sustainable, and clinically effective model for the future of glaucoma management.