Pseudexfoliation: Therapeutical Treatment in Ocular Hypertension Related to Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Author(s): Felisia Gjyrdedi

Glaucoma is a disease characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve, with or without elevated intraocular pressure; and is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Pseudoexfoliation has been identified as the leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma. It is a disease that affects over 60-70 million people. The pathophysiology of pseudoexfoliation is characterized by the deposition in the eye tissues of a fibrillar material. Intraocular deposits are found in the trabecular meshwork, cornea, lens, and iris, leading to significant ocular and visual morbidity. The prevalence of the disease varies by geographic location and ethnicity, and a number of environmental, demographic, genetic, and molecular factors have been identified as potential causes. Despite the high morbidity, there is still no definitive cure for pseudoexfoliation. Treatments are aimed at managing elevated intraocular pressure, including local, systemic, or surgical therapy.