Swiss ophthalmologists pioneer new glaucoma treatment
Non classé
3 March 2016
A revolutionary system for the treatment of refractory glaucoma has just been developed in Lausanne. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting 60 million people worldwide. Although traditional treatment methods work relatively well, patients are often affected by fibrosis of the drainage duct caused during the operation and known as refractory glaucoma. To treat […]
A revolutionary system for the treatment of refractory glaucoma has just been developed in Lausanne.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting 60 million people worldwide. Although traditional treatment methods work relatively well, patients are often affected by fibrosis of the drainage duct caused during the operation and known as refractory glaucoma.
To treat refractory glaucoma, Dr. André Mermoud of the Clinique de Montchoisi’s Glaucoma Center, and Prof. Nikos Stergiopulos, founder of EPFL spin-off Rheon Medical, have developed a unique ocular implant. Named eyeWatch, the new device features a tube much smaller than those used previously and incorporates an adjustable valve that can be activated without touching the eye. A microscopic wheel compresses the tube to regulate the flow. Dr. Mermoud was recently awarded the CLIVE medal at the International Congress on Glaucoma Surgery (ICGS) in Oman for the discovery.
Four patients have received the implant so far and are doing extremely well, according to a press release. 26 more will be treated in 2016, after which SwissMedic should grant authorization for the implant to be brought to the market.
