India has taken a step forward in glaucoma treatment by pharma company Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited with the launch of a new combination therapy.

This treatment combines two drugs – ripcudils and timolol – to help control high eye pressure, a major cause of glaucoma. This is a dual-action eye drop for glaucoma.

It is unique because it combines two remedies to a drop, making it more effective, easy to use, and improves the patient’s adherence.

It reduces better eye pressure than single-drug remedies and reduces the risk of vision loss, providing more convenient and advanced solution for patients with glaucoma.

In a statement, the company said that this is the first time such a combination in India has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for glaucoma treatment.

Glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness worldwide, and India is greatly affected. It is responsible for 23.5% of glucoma cases. In India, cataract and refractive errors (such as close vision or far-flung vision) are the third major cause of vision problems.

A major risk factor for glaucoma is ocular hypertension, which means high-to-normal eye pressure (introcular pressure or IOP). While this condition does not always move towards glaucoma, it can damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Regular check-ups are important to detect and manage high eye pressure before going to vision loss.

How new treatment works

New launched combination therapy helps in low eye pressure in two ways:

Ripasudil: Reduction of pressure, helps in drainage of excess fluid from the eye.

Timolol: The amount of fluid decreases the eye.

Two drugs in the same eye drop can help patients get better and long -lasting pressure controls than using alone, which has been prescribed by doctors so far.

Management of glaucoma requires long-term treatment, and one of the largest challenges is affixed to the patient’s adherence to the plan.

Many patients struggle to take several eye drops regularly. The new single-drop therapy makes treatment easier and more convenient, which can lead to better results and may be less risk of blindness.

Sanjeev Jain, managing director of Akum Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, said, “This new treatment improves both effectiveness and ease of use, which helps patients better follow their treatment,” by adding that simple treatment can prevent the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life.

Sandeep Jain, a managing director at Akams, also said, “With more people developing glaucoma in India, it is important to present better treatment that people can easily use.”

AKums will create new therapy in their advanced features, which will ensure frequent supply and comprehensive availability.

Since 11.9 million people in India are affected by glaucoma, this launch provides a very essential solution for better treatment.