Injectable glaucoma drug vs. patient compliance

Implications: Any new efficacious glaucoma treatment is welcome and needed, but patient compliance remains a factor.  A single injection treatment that provides IOP reduction for 3 months would greatly improve success in IOP control.  I would, however, like to see a lower target pressure set for the study.

Analysis:  The new injectable glaucoma drug anecortave acetate by Alcon would certainly be a welcome addition to glaucoma treatment.  As stated, the number one problem in glaucoma treatment is patient compliance, the reason the once-a-day drops are generally the first line of medical treatment.  My problem with the limited study is that the target pressure of 21 for patients with untreated pressures of 24 to 36 can be too high of a target pressure if there is glaucoma damage.    For the treatment of ocular hypertensives with no glaucoma damage, the new drug should hold promise, but I would like to see better IOP reduction for patients with glaucoma damage.