Evaluation of intraocular pressure lowering effect of 0.4% Ripasudil eye drops in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathy characterised by typical damage to the optic nerve head (cupping) and associated visual dysfunction. Glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible vision loss in adults worldwide. Glaucomatous damage to the optic nerve appears to be the final common pathway to a diverse assortment of etiologic factors and clinical subtypes. An increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) is the primary risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma. Thus, the most effective treatment for glaucoma is the lowering of raised IOP. Topical antiglaucoma eye drops are used as the primary treatment for the reduction of IOP. Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate is a rho-associated coiled - coil forming kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, which reduces IOP by enhancing conventional aqueous humor outflow via changes in the morphology of trabecular meshwork cells, inhibition of extracellular matrix production, and increased juxta - Schlemm canal permeability. Ripasudil eyedrops at 0.4% concentration can significantly lower IOP in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). ROCK inhibitors can increase aqueous humor outflow and decrease IOP by targeting the cytoskeleton of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal cells.