Optical Prism March 2020 | Page 40

News Glaucoma treatment option launches in Canada VYZULTA, the first new treatment new innovative eye health medicines and periorbital tissue and growth of option for glaucoma in nearly 20 that can help address current and eyelashes can occur. years, is now available to health care emerging unmet medical needs and professionals in Canada, according to help create Moments that Matter for Bausch + Lomb. Canadians.” VYZULTA was approved by Health VYZULTA is a once daily monother- Ike Ahmed, assistant professor, Uni- Canada on Dec. 27, 2018. apy with a dual mechanism of action, versity of Toronto; clinical professor, which targets two pathways to reduce University of Utah; director, Glauco- IOP. Following topical administra- ma & Advanced Anterior Segment tion, VYZULTA is thought to lower Surgery (GAASS) Fellowship, Univer- intraocular pressure by increasing sity of Toronto; and research director, outflow of aqueous humor through Kensington Eye Institute, University both uveoscleral and trabecular of Toronto. “It is a unique molecule Indicated for the reduction of intraocu- lar pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, VYZULTA is also the first modified prostaglandin analog with one of its metabolites being Nitric Oxide. “VYZULTA represents an evolution in topical monotherapy in Canada in the treatment of glaucoma,” says Dr. meshwork routes. The innovative that targets two outflow pathways to “We’re excited that VYZULTA is now treatment is rapidly metabolized improve IOP reduction. I am pleased available as a treatment option for in the eye to latanoprost acid (main to see that a recognized eye care com- people who suffer from glaucoma in active metabolite), an F2a prostaglan- pany like Bausch + Lomb is investing Canada – the second global market din analogue, and likely butanediol in innovative research to advance the to offer this new advancement,” said mononitrate. The most common treatment of glaucoma, and ultimate- Richard Lajoie, president and general ocular adverse events include con- ly to help eye care providers and their manager, Bausch Health, Canada. junctival hyperemia, eye irritation, patients to preserve sight.” OP “Bausch + Lomb remains committed to eye pain and instillation site pain. improving people’s lives by developing Increased pigmentation of the iris 38 Optical Prism | March 2020