Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain and transmits visual information. Often called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma typically progresses without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred. The disease primarily affects retinal ganglion cells—specialized neurons whose long fibers form the optic nerve—leading to their progressive degeneration and death. While elevated eye pressure is a major risk factor and the primary target of current treatments, glaucoma can occur even with normal eye pressure. The condition affects millions of people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Early detection through regular eye examinations is critical, as vision loss from glaucoma cannot be recovered, though treatment can slow or halt further progression.

IOB’s Glaucoma Clinical Research Group has deep clinical expertise in glaucoma and focuses on designing studies that address clinical endpoints for IOB’s glaucoma therapy development. The group also works in close collaboration with other IOB scientists to develop new therapies for different forms of glaucoma.