IRIDEX Introduces New MicroPulse Glaucoma Therapy

The IRIDEX Corporation announced the launch of a new glaucoma therapy yesterday. The treatment is a new non-invasive, in-office procedure based on its MicroPulse™ technology. The tissue-sparing, repeatable therapy is called MicroPulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (MLT) and was introduced at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults, is estimated to afflict more than 4 million people in the US, and roughly 60 million people worldwide. MLT was first introduced by IRIDEX in infrared laser platforms, but new technologies have made it available with the IRIDEX green laser system, a cost effective laser that is used by most ophthalmologists. The new laser spares the tissue, and represents a market breakthrough. It also offers ophthalmologists a high return on their capital investment.

“Compared to other lasers used for the treatment of glaucoma, the IQ 532 with the MicroPulse module offers greater versatility because it can also be used for a range of other conditions including diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears,” said David Gossage, M.D., medical director of the Gossage Eye Institute. “I’m comfortable offering MLT to glaucoma patients as a first-line option because of its potential to reduce intraocular pressure without causing tissue damage.”

The MLT therapy lowers the intra-ocular pressure in a glaucoma patient without damaging the tissue. MicroPulse does this by essentially by shooting the laser in pulses, chopping it into microsecond bursts so that the treatment is still effective while sparing the organ any collateral effects or damage, like traditional laser technology is known to do.

The IRIDEX Corporation was founded in 1989, and is a worldwide leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems, delivery devices, and consumable instrumentation for the ophthalmology and otolaryngology market, according to its website.

Thus far, no one has made any mention as to whether or not IRIDEX’s glaucoma therapy will politically hinder the broad legalization of medical marijuana, but hippies can dream, can’t they?