Developing a nanotechnology-enabled glaucoma device

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It was estimated to affect 4 million in the US and 133 million people world-wide. The overall prevalence within the US is 2.1% and 3.54% globally. It is estimated that 3.36 million people 40 years and older in the US have open-angle glaucoma. This disease is on the rise and expected to reach 111.8 million globally by 2040.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and result in vision loss. The two most common types are primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). 90% of US glaucoma patients have POAG. There are typically no early warning signs or symptoms for POAG which is why it is known as the “silent thief of sight.” Consequently, routine eye exams are critical to diagnosis. No cure for glaucoma has been discovered yet and the only clinically proven way to modify disease progression is to lower the pressure inside the eye. Current treatments cannot reverse vision loss but are designed to slow disease progression, thereby preventing further vision loss.

Everyone is at risk for developing glaucoma, but certain groups have a higher risk. All people over the age of 60 are 6 times more likely to develop a type of glaucoma. Those with diabetes are twice as more likely to develop a type of glaucoma. Prevalence also varies with race. People of African-Caribbean and African American descent over the age of 40 are 8 times more likely to develop POAG.

Today, the national economic impact of glaucoma takes up the majority of $5.8 billion spent on treatment and management of optic nerve disorders. Ten million doctor visits occur each year for glaucoma resulting in $2.5 billion in annual healthcare costs. The burden of these costs on the US healthcare system is expected to significantly rise as the number of patients increases. Only 50% of people with glaucoma are diagnosed. The other 50% are unaware of their disease. Additionally, it is projected that the number of people affected by glaucoma will increase two folds by 2050.