INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Glaucoma is a disease caused by pressure within the eye. Over time, it can lead to vision loss or even blindness. In the U.S., about three million people are affected by it. There is no cure, but researchers are working to develop a new therapy that could give people with glaucoma a better outlook.

With most cases of glaucoma, a buildup of fluid causes pressure within the eye. As that pressure increases, it affects the optic nerve at the back of the eye.

Assistant Professor of ophthalmology at IU School of Medicine, Dr. Tasneem Putiwala Sharma, PhD, explains, “And so, basically, you kind of see peripheral vision loss and you start getting tunnel vision.”

Treatment involves medications or surgery. But that only slows the progression – it doesn’t halt or reverse it. Sharma and her team are trying to change that.

“But the root cause is these neurons are dying. So, how do we protect them?,” Sharma asks.

Her research focuses on two new approaches to treating glaucoma. First, she’s testing a drug that would protect the neurons in the early stages of the disease. Second, she’s also using innovative techniques to look at options for later stages of the disease. In her research, donated human eyes are placed in a one-of-a-kind model in their lab. It simulates pressure in the eye so they can test different therapies. One involves creating stem cells in the lab and transplanting them into the eye to see if the neurons can be replaced.

Sharma says, “If they’re still progressing and there is a lot of vision loss happening, maybe, on the periphery, we could go in and do that and say, you know, ‘That could help you and protect you, long-term.’”

New research that could bring new hope to people battling glaucoma. Sharma received a two million dollar grant from the national eye institute to fund her research. She’s hopeful her work will lead to new clinical trials for glaucoma patients.

This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV. Health Spotlight is presented by Community Health Network.