ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The American Optometric Association (AOA) has announced the recent publication of its evidence-based clinical practice guideline titled Care of the Patient With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. The first edition guideline is designed to elevate health care quality by providing doctors of optometry a platform to build quality clinical care to ensure patients are diagnosed and treated based on scientific research, according to the announcement. Glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans and is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the United States. The AOA noted that it released its original consensus-based clinical practice guideline, primary open-angle glaucoma, in 1995 and the last subsequent revision in 2010.

“Constantly improving the art of patient care by leading with evidence-based modalities of care is why these guidelines are so important to the profession,” said AOA president Steven T. Reed, OD. “As the primary providers of eye health and vision care, we are at the frontlines of glaucoma diagnosis, management and treatment, and this first edition provides modern recommendations that help advance the care doctors of optometry are delivering to patients.”

“The Care of the Patient With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma is the product of several years of work by the talented volunteers on the AOA evidence-based optometry committee, multidisciplinary stakeholders, writers and AOA staff who worked to assemble this guideline,” said Carl Urbanski, OD. “The information was developed from the review of over 1,200 articles, multiple drafts and systematic analysis. This resource should be reviewed and placed into action by all our members to refine the clinical care process we provide to our patients, from those at risk of glaucoma to patients in the continuum of care based on the highest quality evidence and current knowledge.”

The new guideline marks a major advancement as the AOA’s first evidence-based guidelines that provides the highest quality current scientific evidence, research and analysis with scientific evidence and recommends appropriate steps in the diagnosis, management and treatment of adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The guideline was open for a public comment period from March to April 2024.

Developed by the AOA evidence-based optometry guideline development group, the guideline was created in accordance with a formal process and revised to meet the National Academies’ of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - Health and Medicine Division (NASEM) evidence-based standards, according to the announcement.

To view AOA’s first edition of Care of the Patient With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, click here.