Newly Developed Laser Surgery Device Makes Glaucoma Procedures Safer, Simpler And Faster

Prof. Ehud Assia and Dr. Ami Eyel of IOPtima has developed a novel laser device, called OTS134 that promises to revolutionize treatment of glaucoma.

The most common surgical treatment in use today perforates the wall of the eye, often resulting in collapse of the eyeball, infection, cataract formation and other complications. A more effective and elegant approach, a specialty of Prof. Assia's, involves penetration of the eye wall to a depth of only about 95 percent, leaving a razor-thin layer intact. The difference between success and failure may amount to just a few microns.

"Several years ago I served as a consultant for a company that produces CO2 lasers, which are used for different kinds of cosmetic and skin surgery. Because it is a relatively strong type of laser, it was not a likely candidate for use on something as delicate as the eye. However, one of the CO2 laser's unique characteristics is that it does not function when it comes in contact with liquid. It occurred to me that this would be a perfect fit for non-penetrating surgery, because the moment the CO2 laser came in contact with the intra-ocular liquid, it would automatically shut off," he recalls.

Glaucoma, nicknamed the silent sight thief, affects 3 million Americans every year, with onset around the age of 40. "Glaucoma is a serious problem that starts to cause nerve damage to people without them realizing that anything is happening to their eyesight, often before it is too late, " says Prof. Assia, who is also the director of Ophthalmology at Meir Hospital in Israel, which treats thousands of glaucoma patients each year.

Newly Developed Laser Surgery Device Makes Glaucoma Procedures Safer, Simpler And Faster