Kusuhara S, et al. - Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate (ripasudil), a Rho-associated kinase inhibitor eye drop, was tested as a treatment option for uveitic glaucoma. Based on the findings of retrospectively analyzed case series of patients with open-angle uveitic glaucoma, ripasudil appeared to be safe and substantially reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) when the eye was a responder. Overall, ripasudil could be an option for the treatment of uveitic glaucoma.

• The clinical data of 21 eyes from 19 patients with open-angle uveitic glaucoma who were treated with ripasudil at Kobe University Hospital, was retrieved in this retrospective case series.
• Researchers analyzed the median intraocular pressure (IOP) reductions after ripasudil treatment and collected the information on the adverse events that were encountered during the course of this treatment period.

• The following were reported as the causes of uveitis: sarcoidosis (29%), Behçet’s disease (14%), Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (10%), others (15%), and unclassified (33%).
• Using topical, periocular, and/or systemic steroid therapies, a total of 19 (90%) eyes were treated.
• Data showed that the median number of glaucoma medications used before ripasudil treatment was 2, and the median follow-up time was 13 months.
• Researchers noted that the median IOPs were 23 mmHg at baseline, 16 mmHg at 1 month, and 18 mmHg at 12 months with significant IOP reductions of -3 mmHg at 1 month and -2 mmHg at 12 months (P=0.0050).
• A significant median IOP decrease at 12 months was demonstrated by a total of 11 (52%) eyes with an IOP reduction ≥3 mmHg at 1 month (responders), compared with non-responders (-5 vs 0 mmHg, P=0.0242).
• Rashes on the back and transient conjunctival hyperemia were documented as adverse events.