Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. About 80 million people worldwide are estimated to have glaucoma, with many remaining undiagnosed.
Many individuals with the disease do not realize they have it until vision loss has already begun.
This reality drives global awareness efforts each January during National Glaucoma Awareness Month 2026. Next year, awareness campaigns will emphasize the need for regular eye exams, particularly for those at higher risk due to age, family history or other health conditions.
While early detection can slow disease progression, there is still no cure for glaucoma.
In this blog, we outline why glaucoma continues to demand attention and where recent research and innovation efforts have been focused.
Glaucoma in Brief: Who It Affects and the Care Landscape
Glaucoma is a chronic condition that damages the optic nerve and leads to progressive visual field loss.
People at higher risk include adults 60 or older, people of African American or Hispanic/Latino descent. Global estimates suggest the number of people with glaucoma could rise to over 95 million by 2030.
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most common modifiable risk factor, but the disease may still progress even when pressure appears well controlled. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form globally, although disease patterns vary by region and population.
Current management typically involves long-term use of eye drops, laser treatments and surgery, often in combination. As populations age, the need for more durable and patient-friendly approaches continues to grow.
Key Glaucoma Research and Innovation Developments From 2025
Neuroprotection Research Sharpens Its Focus
In 2025, interest in neuroprotective strategies for glaucoma increased as researchers continued to recognize that lowering IOP alone may not fully address disease progression.
Spinogenix shared preclinical data showing that its compound, SPG302, preserved retinal ganglion cell survival and visual function in a rodent model of glaucoma. The findings suggest that early synaptic loss may contribute to glaucomatous damage and highlight research interest in protecting neuronal connections as an addition to existing approaches. While still preclinical, the work reflects broader exploration of disease-modifying concepts in glaucoma research.
Related: Restoring Synapses to Fight Neurodegeneration with Spinogenix CEO Dr. Stella Sarraf — Episode 217
Clinical Evaluation of New Glaucoma Drainage Devices Advances
On the device side, Avisi Technologies announced that the first patient was treated with its VisiPlate glaucoma device in the international SAPPHIRE trial. The prospective, multicenter study is evaluating safety and effectiveness in patients with open-angle glaucoma. The primary endpoint focuses on achieving clinically meaningful reductions in diurnal IOP at 12 months while maintaining or reducing medication use. The trial builds on earlier feasibility experience and reflects ongoing efforts to improve long-term surgical durability while reducing the need for re-intervention.
Continuous IOP Monitoring Moves Closer to Real-World Use
Another trend gaining momentum in 2025 was the push toward more continuous monitoring of IOP outside traditional clinical settings.
Smartlens raised $5.2 million to support preparations for FDA clearance of miLens, a soft contact lens designed to track IOP fluctuations over time. By capturing pressure changes beyond single in-office measurements, such technologies aim to support more informed treatment decisions for patients whose disease progression may not be apparent during routine exams.
Surgical Innovation Continues to Prioritize Long-Term Burden Reduction
In 2025, glaucoma surgery continued to evolve with a focus on durability and reducing long-term reliance on topical therapy.
One example is Iantrek’s progress toward a planned US launch of its AlloFlo Uveo approach, supported by a $42 million funding round. The bio-interventional strategy is designed to access the eye’s uveoscleral drainage pathway, offering an alternative to the trabecular pathway targeted by many minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedures.
In clinical data published in Ophthalmology Science in 2025, Iantrek reported IOP reductions of more than 20% in a majority of treated patients.
Looking Ahead to World Glaucoma Week 2026
While National Glaucoma Awareness Month 2026 will raise awareness, global efforts continue with World Glaucoma Week 2026, which will take place from March 8 to 14, 2026. The campaign will be held under the theme “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World,” bringing together clinicians, researchers, advocacy groups and patients to reinforce the importance of early detection and ongoing eye care.
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