Rho-kinase Inhibitor: A Potential Alternative to Current Glaucoma Therapy

Glaucoma is a group of progressive and irreversible optic neuropathies linked to intraocular pressure-related damage of the optic head. It is the second leading cause of blindness with estimation of 76 million people affected. Among many types of glaucoma, Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is the most common. Management of POAG primarily focus on lowering IOP with a variety of topical, oral, intravenous therapy, and surgery. Prostaglandin Analogue and Beta-blocker have long been the first line therapy for POAG with proven efficacy and safety profile. Rho-kinase Inhibitor is a novel class of drug with IOP lowering property through its ability to increase aqueous humor drainage via trabecular meshwork. Rho-kinase Inhibitor is proven to have mild local adverse effects and rare systemic drug reaction. This might be beneficial for patients with contraindication to Prostaglandin Analogue and/ or Beta-blocker use.

Keywords: glaucoma, rho-kinase inhibitor