Aug 26 2010
Ultrasound Treatment for Glaucoma in Development
photo by Steve Jurvetson
Eye Tech Care, a French company, is testing a new way to treat glaucoma using ultrasound technology. The device would treat the cilliary body (the part of the eye that produces humour, the watery fluid that fills the front part of the eye) in order to decrease the amount of fluid in the eye, and, by extension, reduce the intraocular pressure within the eye.
The device has only been tested on twelve patients suffering from the rare refractory glaucoma, but if trials are successful they may begin testing it on the more common open angle glaucoma. About 25 years ago researchers tried to use ultrasound technology to treat animals, but the technology of the time was too limited.
According to the International Glaucoma Association, which reported on this new development, ultrasound treatment for glaucoma would be quicker and less invasive than the current Argon laser procedures currently used to treat the disease.
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