Glaucoma videos promote unproven treatments, overlook risks

A study published on March 5, 2026, in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology warns that social media videos discussing glaucoma treatment options may promote dangerous and unproven therapies while frequently omitting the associated risks.

The research analyzed content across YouTube and Facebook to evaluate the quality and accuracy of information provided to patients. The findings indicate a significant presence of misleading health information on these platforms.

According to the data, 18.4% of the analyzed Facebook videos and 15.1% of the YouTube videos were classified as actively misleading.

A critical concern highlighted by the researchers is the failure of these videos to disclose the potential dangers of the treatments they suggest. The study found that no Facebook videos discussed treatment-associated risks, while only 17% of the YouTube videos included such discussions.

The lack of risk disclosure is particularly concerning given the permanent nature of the condition. Soshian Sarrafpour, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual science at the Yale School of Medicine, noted the vulnerability of patients seeking help online.

Given the irreversible nature of glaucoma and the importance of vision in quality of life, patients with advanced glaucoma are likely to use online resources to investigate options for glaucoma treatment and/or management

Soshian Sarrafpour, MD

The research was a collaborative effort involving specialists from several medical institutions. In addition to the Yale School of Medicine, the study included contributors from the following organizations:

• The School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• The Department of Ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC
• The Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health and Science University
• The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School

The study underscores a growing trend of patients turning to the internet to navigate medical treatment options. However, the researchers suggest that the prevalence of unproven treatment options on popular media sites poses a serious potential danger to those managing the disease.