A multicenter, open-label study of netarsudil for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in a real-world setting.

Objective: Assess the real-world efficacy of netarsudil, either as monotherapy or concomitant therapy, in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT) requiring modification of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering treatment.

Methods: Multicenter, prospective, interventional, open-label, Phase 4 study, clinical trial registration number: NCT03808688. Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.

Economic and Clinical Burden Associated With Intensification of Glaucoma Topical Therapy: A US Claims-based Analysis.

Precis: Incremental addition of intraocular pressure-lowering topical drops is associated with shorter-lasting benefit and higher health-related costs with each additional agent, suggesting a need for new treatment options to improve disease control and reduce treatment burden.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment intensification as a driver of clinical and economic burden in patients receiving topical glaucoma medications for open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of administrative claims data (January 2011 to July 2017) from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database included diagnosed patients who initiated or intensified treatment with 1 to 4 topical glaucoma medications of a different drug class between January 2012 and July 2015 (index date being the first such event during this period).

Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Newly Diagnosed Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients in the United States: An Administrative Database Analysis.

Purpose: To characterize newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients and to describe their treatment journey in United States clinical practice according to the use of topical therapy, laser trabeculoplasty, and surgical procedures.

Design: Retrospective claims database study.

Participants: Patients with at least 2 diagnoses of OAG 7 days or more apart and within 1 year, with the first (index) diagnosis in 2010, at least 30 months of continuous enrollment before index diagnosis with no OAG diagnosis or medication (exception for ocular hypertension diagnosis), and 48 months of continuous enrollment.

Maximize Marketing with a Deeper Dive into Data and Metrics.

In the current business environment for contract radiology services, a more stra- tegic approach to marketing can strengthen the ability of an organization to retain existing contracts and win new ones. Although over 70% of surveyed AHRA members believe that marketing is valued within their organizations, only a quarter rated their current marketing programs as highly effective. Survey responses indicate recognition of an unmet need for-marketing programs that are data driven and designed to be evaluated based on meas6rable outcomes.

Patient adherence and persistence with topical ocular hypotensive therapy in real-world practice: a comparison of bimatoprost 0.01% and travoprost Z 0.004% ophthalmic solutions.

Background: Effective control of intraocular pressure is predicated upon patient compliance with pharmacotherapy. We compared patient adherence and persistence with two new ocular hypotensive formulations, using real-world utilization data.

Methods: This observational cohort study employed pharmacy claims data from the Source(®) Lx (Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions) database.

Evaluation of eye drop administration technique in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate eye drop administration by patients at multiple visits in the setting of a randomized controlled trial.

Study Design And Methods: Patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomized to 12 weeks of treatment with topical ocular hypotensive medication in a multicenter, investigator-masked trial. At baseline, patients were given a questionnaire for self-assessment of difficulty with drop administration.

Comparison of adherence and persistence with bimatoprost 0.01% versus bimatoprost 0.03% topical ophthalmic solutions.

Objective: To compare patient adherence and persistence with bimatoprost 0.01%, a new formulation that offers equivalent intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy to bimatoprost 0.03% and improved tolerability, with that of the original bimatoprost 0.

An adherence based cost-consequence model comparing bimatoprost 0.01% to bimatoprost 0.03%.

Objectives: Estimate the long-term direct medical costs and clinical consequences of improved adherence with bimatoprost 0.01% compared to bimatoprost 0.03% in the treatment of glaucoma.

Bimatoprost 0.03% preservative-free ophthalmic solution versus bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution (Lumigan) for glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a 12-week, randomised, double-masked trial.

Background/aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.03% preservative-free (PF) ophthalmic solution versus bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan) ophthalmic solution for glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Objective assessment of compliance and persistence among patients treated for glaucoma and ocular hypertension: a systematic review.

Purpose: This study summarizes findings from objective assessments of compliance (or adherence) and persistence with ocular hypotensive agents in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Design: Systematic literature review.

Methods: A PubMed and reference list search was conducted across publication years 1970-2010, using these terms and variants: "compliance," the equivalent term "adherence," and "persistence" in patients with these conditions and therapies.

Incidence of new coding for dry eye and ocular infection in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients treated with prostaglandin analogs: retrospective analysis of three medical/pharmacy claims databases.

Background: To investigate the clinical relevance of two different preservative formulations, we compared 1-year incidence rates of additional coding of dry eye, ocular infection, or ocular surface disease (either dry eye or ocular infection) in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients newly treated with latanoprost with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) or with travoprost-Z with SofZia®.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of three U.S.

International vision requirements for driver licensing and disability pensions: using a milestone approach in characterization of progressive eye disease.

Objective: Low vision that causes forfeiture of driver's licenses and collection of disability pension benefits can lead to negative psychosocial and economic consequences. The purpose of this study was to review the requirements for holding a driver's license and rules for obtaining a disability pension due to low vision. Results highlight the possibility of using a milestone approach to describe progressive eye disease.

Persistence on prostaglandin ocular hypotensive therapy: an assessment using medication possession and days covered on therapy.

Background: Prior research has demonstrated that medication persistence (continued acquisition of therapy over time) is far from optimal among patients with glaucoma. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate persistence with prostaglandin analogs among glaucoma patients in the first therapy year using a modification of a previously published technique.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of medical and pharmacy claims database included treatment-naive patients dispensed bimatoprost, latanoprost, or travoprost between 1/1/04-12/31/04.

Hyperemia-associated costs of medication changes in glaucoma patients treated initially with prostaglandin analogs.

Aims: To develop a model to estimate and compare the cost of changing therapy due to hyperemia in glaucoma patients treated initially either with latanoprost, bimatoprost, or travoprost monotherapy.

Methods: Data collected from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database, as part of the Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study (GAPS), were used to populate the model. Patients with a documented diagnosis of glaucoma who were newly treated (no ocular hypotensive medication and no glaucoma-related procedure during 6 months before first prescription) with latanoprost, bimatoprost, or travoprost monotherapy were identified.

Adherence and persistence with glaucoma therapy.

Adherence and persistence with chronic therapies is crucial to prevent disease progression, such as in glaucoma. Patients report high rates of adherence, which are not supported by pharmacy claims analysis. This article reviews the literature regarding methods to assess adherence and persistence and the patient behaviors that pose challenges to proper treatment.

Treadmill training promotes axon regeneration in injured peripheral nerves.

Physical activity after spinal cord injury promotes improvements in motor function, but its effects following peripheral nerve injury are less clear. Although axons in peripheral nerves are known to regenerate better than those in the CNS, methods of accelerating regeneration are needed due to the slow overall rate of growth. Therefore we studied the effect of two weeks of treadmill locomotion on the growth of regenerating axons in peripheral nerves following injury.

Electrical stimulation promotes peripheral axon regeneration by enhanced neuronal neurotrophin signaling.

Electrical stimulation of cut peripheral nerves at the time of their surgical repair results in an enhancement of axon regeneration. Regeneration of axons through nerve allografts was used to evaluate whether this effect is due to an augmentation of cell autonomous neurotrophin signaling in the axons or signaling from neurotrophins produced in the surrounding environment. In the thy-1-YFP-H mouse, a single 1 h application of electrical stimulation at the time of surgical repair of the cut common fibular nerve results in a significant increase in the proportion of YFP+ dorsal root ganglion neurons, which were immunoreactive for BDNF or trkB, as well as an increase in the length of regenerating axons through allografts from wild type litter mates, both 1 and 2 weeks later.

Compliance and persistency in glaucoma follow-up treatment.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize research published between 1980 and October 2004 regarding compliance (the extent to which patients' behaviors correspond with providers' recommendations) and persistency (total time on therapy) in patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension; to suggest approaches ophthalmologists might consider to improve compliance and persistency; and to identify areas warranting future research.

Recent Findings: Medication compliance, the focus of most compliance-related research, has been measured using a variety of methods including patient self-reports, the medication possession ratio, and electronic monitoring. Noncompliance rates of at least 25% commonly have been reported.

Persistency with latanoprost or timolol in primary open-angle glaucoma suspects.

Purpose: To evaluate persistency of pharmacotherapy in primary open-angle glaucoma suspects (glaucoma suspects) treated with latanoprost and timolol.

Design: Retrospective, cohort study using the Protocare Sciences managed care database; approximately 3 million members in commercial health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations and in Medicare risk plans.

Methods: Patients 20 years of age or older beginning therapy between January 1, 1997, and June 30, 2002, with latanoprost or timolol monotherapy were included.

Patient persistency with ocular prostaglandin therapy: a population-based, retrospective study.

Background: Open-angle glaucoma affects an estimated 33 million individuals worldwide. An intraocular pressure >21 mm Hg in individuals with no evidence of optic nerve damage is termed ocular hypertension, a risk factor for glaucoma that has been estimated to affect as many as 10% of individuals 40 years of age or older.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess persistency (time on therapy) with prostaglandin analogues in the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.