In knowing intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients increases at nighttime, a medical device company sought a method to ward off these spikes. The therapy, known as the Mercury Multi-Pressure Dial (MPD) consists of a pair of goggles that is attached to a pump and worn at night to lower eye pressure.*

How does the Mercury Multi-Pressure Dial work?

The device can be programmed to the desired IOP level that is reached via the device’s pump. “This device is based on physics,” said John P. Berdahl, MD, founder of Equinox Ophthalmic Inc. and the inventor of the product’s concept. “It is a powerful way to measure IOP in a predictable and programmable way.”

The device helps doctors provide better care outside of their offices through its 5G-enabled antenna feature, which sends data to a cloud that doctors can access and determine if the patient is complying with the treatment. Patients can also be reminded to be more compliant. The goggles are considered a non-invasive treatment method that was designed to be comfortably worn at night.

What are the current methods for reducing IOP?

Dr. Berdahl highlights the many concerns with existing treatments, which gave him the push to find a new alternative. 

These concerns include:

• Patient compliance with eye drops is about 50%, with only 5% of the original dose reaching the target tissue. 
• Patients continue to have many complications related to traditional glaucoma surgeries, such as continued loss of vision.
• Severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma affect about 40% of patients, and topical drops, laser surgery, and minimally invasive methods, such as a trabeculectomy, are not always effective.

“There are problems with traditional surgeries in hard-to-treat patients in that the glaucoma is progressive despite low IOPs,” he explains. “This is the market that the MPD is targeting, i.e., the patients with an unmet need.” 

The unmet need Dr. Berdahl refers to high IOP that occurs at nighttime when devices or drugs are typically less effective in maintaining optimal eye pressure levels, especially in hard-to-treat patients. Nighttime is also when people are more prone to optic nerve damage.

What does research about the MPD show?

Fifty-one (51) patients with an IOP of 16 mmHg were analyzed by Dr. Berdahl and his colleagues:

• The researchers programmed a 25% pressure decrease into the goggles, and patients’ IOPs were found to decrease to about 13 mmHg. 
• When they programmed a 50% pressure reduction into the goggles, IOP decreased to about 11 mmHg.
• A 75% pressure reduction led to a decrease in IOP at about 10 mmHg.

“For the first time without surgery, laser, or drugs, we can lower the IOP,” Dr. Berdahl said. “More importantly, we can dial it in to a desired level and achieve the goals safely.” 

Once the treatment is approved, the ideal plan is to allow healthcare providers to prescribe the device to their patients. From there, Equinox will contact the patient to get their shipping information, educate them on how to successfully use the googles, and manage all aspects of the process, including inventory, co-pays, and google resupply. Dr. Berdahl hopes that the MPD will make its way into the treatment algorithm before traditional glaucoma surgery is performed. 

*Charters, L. (2021, Jan. 31). Multi-pressure dial: A new approach to lowering IOP and treating glaucoma. Ophthalmology Times. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/multi-pressure-dial-a-new-approach-to-lowering-iop-and-treating-glaucoma