Gold standard medical therapy for glaucoma: defining the criteria identifying measures for an evidence-based analysis.

Background: Over the past decade, several new medical therapies have become available for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A systematic evidence-based approach for identifying an optimal therapeutic agent is lacking.

Objectives: The aims of this review were to critically evaluate published treatment recommendations for POAG and, based on a systematic review of the literature, to develop criteria that would define a "gold standard" medical therapy that reflects new treatment advances and established therapeutic goals.