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A visual field test checks glaucoma in a patient at Legacy Devers Eye Institute.

(MOTOYA NAKAMURA/The Oregonian)

Here's a study that, if successful, could make life much easier for people who must take eye drops to keep glaucoma from worsening: Legacy Devers Eye Institute is accepting patients in a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of implanting prostaglandin into the eyes every six months instead of taking daily eye drops.

Prostaglandin is the most common medicine used for glaucoma. Some patients have trouble getting drops in their eyes; others simply forget to take the medicine daily.

"If this clinical trial proves successful," says Dr. Steve Mansberger, "it will completely transform the way we treat glaucoma in the future." Mansberger is director of glaucoma services for the eye institute.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness, though early detection and treatment often can prevent serious vision loss. Without treatment, those with glaucoma slowly lose their peripheral vision; eventually, straight-ahead vision might go.

More glaucoma facts from the National Institutes of Health:

• Anyone can develop it, but those at higher risk include African Americans older than 40; anyone over 60, especially Mexican Americans; anyone with a family history of glaucoma.

• Treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery or a combination of any of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma

• Glaucoma affects about 2.2 million Americans.

For more information about the clinical trial contact Casie Goldman at Legacy Devers Eye Institute, 503-413-6505.

-- Katy Muldoon