Increasing Intraocular Pressure in the Setting of Chronic Hypotony

Chronic hypotony is a condition characterized by extended periods of low intraocular pressure. It is estimated that chronic hypotony affects 24,000 individuals in the United States, with an incidence rate of 7,300 cases per year. Individuals with chronic hypotony experience vision loss, ocular pain, and physical disfigurement of the eye; the prevalence of these issues increases as intraocular pressure falls.
The end stage condition of chronic hypotony, known as phthisis bulbi, occurs when intraocular pressure drops to zero and the eye collapses; the result is a shrunken, painful, and nonfunctional eye which is often removed.

Despite the severe outcomes associated with chronic hypotony, current treatments are few in number and are widely regarded to be ineffective. Due to the overwhelming lack of effective treatments for this devastating disorder, there is an urgent need for a long-term solution that raises intraocular pressure and consistently maintains it within the normal physiological range.