Secondary Glaucoma:
Building a Community

Background & Mission Statement

Glaucoma is a disease of progressive optic neuropathy from increased intraocular pressure and is one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness. Secondary glaucoma is a subtype characterized by the presence of an identifiable medical condition which is causing the ocular hypertension [1]. Within the many causes of secondary glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) and pigmentary dispersion glaucoma (PDG) are quite common and have remained elusive to scientific understanding. 

While the general mechanism of PEXG and PDG is understood to involve the deposition of extracellular material causing trabecular meshwork blockage, there is much to uncover regarding etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Currently, these diseases are treated like primary open-angle glaucoma, though the mechanism of disease is vastly distinct. PEXG and PD lead to especially high morbidity, whether through treatment resistance, early age-of-onset, and/or poorer prognosis [2], highlighting the need for greater attention and more targeted therapeutics.

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Progress has significantly lagged in the realm of secondary glaucoma due to the rarity of disease and the fragmentation of ophthalmic care providers and researchers, including between private and academic settings. Our Mission is to increase connectivity between researchers, physicians, and patients to lower the barrier for research, collaboration, and support. By building a community of similar interests and values, we hope to accelerate the progress of discovery within secondary glaucoma and improve the outcomes of those afflicted with this disease.

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1. Glaucoma Research Foundation, https://www.glaucoma.org/.

2. Morris, J. et al. (2021). Proteomics of pseudoexfoliation materials in the anterior eye segment. Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology.