Researchers, funded by Glaucoma UK, in partnership with The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, are investigating the potential for personalised glaucoma care by mapping clinical trial data and real-word outcomes to individuals. This research was recently awarded the Glaucoma UK and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Research Award 2023.
There are an estimated 700,000 people in the UK with glaucoma, and it is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.
Traditionally, clinical trials and studies of real-world data have provided valuable insights into the outcomes of glaucoma treatments but often report generalised statistics for their study cohorts. In the pursuit of personalised medicine, it is now imperative to integrate patient-specific data to formulate individual risk profiles and predict personalised treatment responses.
A significant modifiable risk factor associated with glaucoma progression is intraocular pressure, the pressure within the eye. However, the impact of treatments on preserving patients’ vision can vary dramatically, even when achieving the same pressure reduction. The interplay between patient characteristics and their influence on treatment responses remains a complex and relatively unexplored area.
This research seeks to bridge this gap by creating a comprehensive framework for analysing individual patient data in conjunction with the knowledge garnered from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and real-world data.
Dr Giovanni Montesano is leading the research team at Moorfields Eye Hospital and City, University of London. He said: “I am grateful to Glaucoma UK and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists for supporting this project which has the potential to reshape the landscape of glaucoma care, enhancing treatment outcomes and quality of life for countless individuals.”
Dr Giovanni Montesano
Joanne Creighton, Chief Executive at Glaucoma UK, said: “Dr Montesano's project holds immense promise for transforming glaucoma care. By unlocking the potential of individualised risk assessment and treatment predictions, we can make substantial strides in preserving patients' vision and enhancing their quality of life."
Ali Rivett, CEO at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “Dr Montesano’s research will provide valuable insight to support future developments and innovation in glaucoma care. Our thanks to the panel members who gave their time to assess the extremely competitive field of applicants received this year.”
The project is scheduled to commence in January 2024 and culminate in 2026. During this two-year span, Dr Montesano aims to identify and validate patient-specific predictors of visual field preservation. These predictors will be integrated into a model intended to empower patients and healthcare professionals in crafting personalised pathways for glaucoma care.
