Glaucoma News: Hope is on the Horizon

Collaboration among scientists gives optimism to the millions affected by glaucoma in the US and worldwide.

The third and fourth Catalyst for a Cure (CFC) teams, funded by Glaucoma Research Foundation and the Terrence and Melza Barr Foundation, respectively, gathered on January 28, 2026, to present their current research and collaborate on their findings.

The breakthroughs presented at this meeting demonstrated an improved understanding of the earliest mechanisms that contribute to the development of glaucoma, and which products currently in development have the best chance of conferring neuroprotection in glaucoma patients.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

A better understanding of how exactly retinal ganglion cells die will lead to improved treatments that can slow, or even reverse, the progression of vision loss in patients with glaucoma.

Alongside GRF-funded CFC innovations, other researchers are also making notable advances.

Recent research shows that looking at many genes together – called a polygenic risk score (PRS) – can help doctors figure out who is more likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma. In a major 2024 study, scientists found that people with the highest genetic risk were twice as likely to develop glaucoma over 20 years compared to those with the lowest risk.

Other studies have shown that when doctors combine this genetic information with traditional eye tests – like measuring eye pressure and examining the optic nerve – they can predict glaucoma risk much better than with regular testing alone. This means care could soon become more personalized: people with lower genetic risk might not need eye checks as often, while those at higher risk could be monitored more closely or treated sooner to help prevent vision loss.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

For patients, these results represent a move toward precision medicine. Individuals at high risk may be identified decades before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention to prevent permanent vision loss. Conversely, those with low genetic risk may benefit from less frequent monitoring, reducing the burden of unnecessary treatments and side effects.

QLS-111, currently in development by Qlaris Bio, is a first-in-class eye drop designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by targeting episcleral venous pressure (EVP). In glaucoma management, EVP is often called the “floor” of IOP because traditional medications can only lower pressure to this level, but not below it. By using ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers to relax the vessels where fluid exits the eye, QLS-111 can lower IOP further than currently available drugs.

As of early 2026, Qlaris has completed two Phase 2 trials (Osprey and Apteryx), demonstrating effective pressure reduction without significant redness. The company is now moving into Phase 3 with the Firecrest study, testing a fixed-dose combination with latanoprost, and is continuing the Nightingale study for Normal Tension Glaucoma – a condition where lowering pressure below the EVP “floor” is clinically vital.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

This represents a potential new way to lower eye pressure when standard drops have reached their limit. It offers a much-needed option for those with stubborn high pressure or Normal Tension Glaucoma, while avoiding common side effects like eye redness.

DUB-001, currently in development by DUB Therapeutics, is a novel anti-fibrotic compound designed to prevent surgical failure in glaucoma patients. One potential use for DUB-001 is as an adjunct to trabeculectomy or other drainage surgeries. While these procedures create a new path for fluid to exit the eye, they often fail because the body’s natural healing process creates scar tissue that blocks the drain. DUB-001 acts as a “genetic switch” to selectively silence the signals that cause this excessive scarring, potentially offering a safer alternative to toxic chemicals like Mitomycin C.

As of early 2026, DUB-001 is in the preclinical stage and is not yet in clinical trials. The company is currently completing safety and efficacy studies in large animal models to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing with the FDA.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

This therapy could prevent the scarring that often causes glaucoma surgeries to fail over time. By keeping the eye’s new drainage path open and functional without using harsh chemicals, patients may achieve more stable, long-term pressure control.

PolyActiva, a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Australia, is developing a game-changing alternative to daily eye drops using its proprietary PREZIA™ technology. This platform allows the company to create tiny, rod-shaped implants that are surgically placed in the eye to release medication consistently over many months.

Their lead product, PA5108, is a biodegradable implant designed to release latanoprost for six months. A major advantage of PolyActiva’s technology is that the implant is designed to completely dissolve shortly after the medicine is exhausted. This “disappearing” act allows doctors to safely place a new “refill” implant twice a year without any leftover material building up inside the eye.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

This technology provides freedom from the daily burden and “forgetfulness” associated with eye drops. It ensures steady, 24/7 protection through an implant that vanishes entirely once its job is done, making long-term treatment safer and more convenient.

Ciliatech, a French medtech firm, is developing the Intercil® Uveal Spacer, a first-of-its-kind implant that lowers eye pressure without entering the front chamber of the eye. Notably, it is “angle-agnostic,” meaning it can treat both open-angle and narrow-angle glaucoma—a rare feat for minimally invasive surgery.

As of early 2026, Intercil has received commercial approval (CE Mark) in Europe and rollout is underway. Ciliatech recently established a US subsidiary and anticipates initiating FDA-regulated clinical trials by the end of the year.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

This device offers a safer surgical alternative that protects the cornea and simplifies recovery. It is especially significant for narrow-angle patients, as it provides a minimally invasive option that does not require the removal of the eye’s natural lens.

PLU Ophthalmic is a U.S.-based medical technology company that has developed AquaLumen™, a precision-engineered surgical tool designed for glaucoma filtration surgery. Unlike traditional stents or shunts, AquaLumen is implant-free; it uses a specialized “ab externo” (from the outside) approach to create a tiny, permanent drainage channel in the eye’s wall. This allows fluid to exit the eye and lower pressure without leaving any foreign material behind.

As of early 2026, AquaLumen is FDA-registered and commercially available in the United States. A formal prospective clinical trial is currently underway to further evaluate its 12-month effectiveness in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

What it Means for People Living with Glaucoma

This technology offers the high-pressure-lowering power of major surgery but in a much less invasive way. Because there is no permanent implant, patients face fewer long-term risks such as implant rejection, while still benefiting from significantly reduced eye pressure.

Every day, dedicated scientists continue to make discoveries to find ways to help cure glaucoma. There are so many ways you can help. Whether you donate cash or stock, create a fundraising event, or donate a vehicle or boat, your donation will give hope to those living with glaucoma and accelerate our search for a cure. Even simply sharing the message with friends, family, and associates can help.

Article revised and updated February 10, 2026, by Cynthia Steel, PhD, MBA.