“It’s an exciting time to be in ophthalmology,” says Tom Frinzi, executive chairman of California-based biotech company ViaLase. The firm is in the process of developing a noninvasive laser trabeculotomy technology for lowering the eye’s pressure in open-angle glaucoma.*

What Is Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma?

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) happens when your eye’s natural drainage system, or trabecular meshwork, becomes blocked and fluid pressure builds inside the eye, sufficient to cause damage to the optic nerve which carries messages to your brain.

Like a clogged drainpipe, the blockage in POAG may occur deep inside the drainage canals.

While POAG is the most common type of glaucoma in the U.S., most people show no symptoms for months or even years. Lack of early diagnosis and treatment can lead to gradual vision loss and blindness. When treated early, disease progression can usually be slowed, or stopped altogether.

How the Treatment Works

Using special image-guided technology, the ViaLase Laser System creates new microscopic drainage channels through the trabecular meshwork, allowing excess fluid to leave the eye, reducing pressure within the eye, or intraocular pressure.

Frinzi believes the technology has the power to improve glaucoma management for a handful of reasons:

• It’s supported by 18 months of study data and anecdotal evidence.
• No cutting of the eye is necessary.
• The procedure does not need to be paired with cataract surgery.

The technology has been tested on human cadavers, and Phase 1 clinical trials are underway. If the trials are successful, Frinzi says, the technology could become commercially available in both the U.S. and Europe in less than two years.

*Frinzi, T. & Mullin, D.W. (2022, April 22). VIDEO: Noninvasive laser trabeculotomy treatment in development. Healio. https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20220422/video-noninvasive-laser-trabeculotomy-treatment-in-development