Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial (EMGT)

Glaucoma is a common disease in older adults. All present treatment aims at reduction of the intraocular pressure, but indications for therapy are not well defined. Furthermore, it is unclear whether intraocular pressure influences the natural history of glaucoma. Against this background, the primary aim of the study is of central importance to patients with manifest and suspect glaucoma.

Glaucoma has few subjective symptoms during a long period early in the disease, but damage is irreversible once it occurs. Early diagnosis and rapid detection of progression are of paramount importance in limiting this damage, whether through pressure reduction or in some other way. The effectiveness, if any, of lowering the intraocular pressure in glaucoma requires evaluation by controlled treatment trials.

The Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial (EMGT) is the first large, controlled, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of lowering the intraocular pressure on the progression of newly detected, open-angle glaucoma. This study will compare glaucoma progression in initially treated versus untreated patients with newly detected open-angle glaucoma and will allow quantification of the effect of immediate IOP-lowering treatment on progression during the followup period.

The EMGT is a collaborative effort that involves a Clinical Center at the Department of Ophthalmology of Malmo University Hospital at the University of Lund, Sweden, and its Satellite Center in Helsingborg, Sweden; an independent Data Center at the Department of Preventive Medicine, University Medical Center at Stony Brook, New York; and a Disc Photography Reading Center at the Department of Ophthalmology in Lund at the University of Lund. The study was initiated with support from the Swedish Medical Research Council.

Recruitment for the study has been completed. The 255 patients were identified by an extensive, population-based screening of successive age cohorts as well as by clinical referral. The diagnosis was confirmed through Humphrey perimetry at two postscreening visits to the Clinical Center or Satellite Center. Eligible patients who agreed to participate had two additional visits for collection of baseline data. They were randomized to treatment with the beta blocker Betaxolol and argon laser trabeculoplasty (treated group) or to no initial treatment (control group) with close followup of both groups.