Patients living with glaucoma could soon benefit from a major advance in treatment after Centre for Sight became the first clinic anywhere in the world, and the first in the UK, to perform an innovative laser procedure that requires no incision. The treatment lasts around five minutes and has the potential to improve care for thousands of patients.
FLIGHT uses the ViaLuxe® Laser System to provide image-guided femtosecond laser treatment for open-angle glaucoma. Instead of making an incision into the eye, surgeons use advanced OCT imaging and ultra-precise laser technology to create tiny drainage pathways within the eye’s natural tissue. This restores fluid outflow and helps lower intraocular pressure. Existing surgical techniques require entering the eye and are normally carried out in an operating theatre, whereas FLIGHT is suitable for an outpatient environment.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent blindness worldwide. Often referred to as the “silent thief of sight”, the disease can develop without noticeable symptoms until irreversible vision loss has occurred. Treatment usually begins with medicated eye drops before progressing to laser procedures, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery or more complex filtration surgery.
The new five-minute procedure could represent a significant advance in glaucoma care by providing an earlier, non-incisional treatment designed to lower eye pressure and slow disease progression.
The first UK treatment was carried out at Centre for Sight in London by Mr Sheraz Daya, Founder and Medical Director of Centre for Sight, who is internationally recognised for pioneering developments in ophthalmic surgery. The patient was 25-year-old Jestina Jah.
Mr Daya said: “Centre for Sight has always been committed to bringing meaningful innovation to patients through technologies that advance precision, safety and the overall treatment experience. We are proud to be among the first centres globally and the first in the United Kingdom to introduce the FLIGHT procedure, marking a redefinition of glaucoma care.”
He added: “The best part of it is we are accomplishing something that previously required an incision and entry into the eye. Incision free, convenient and may dispense with the requirement for eye drops in the majority of cases.”
ViaLase, the medical technology company behind the procedure, says FLIGHT represents a new era in glaucoma treatment by combining image guidance with femtosecond laser precision in a completely non-invasive approach.
Pete England, Chief Commercial Officer of ViaLase, said: “This marks an important milestone for ViaLase as we begin the commercial introduction of FLIGHT in Europe. We believe this treatment will revolutionise interventional glaucoma by enabling surgeons to more safely intervene to reach target pressures and prevent glaucoma progression. ViaLase is proud to partner with globally respected physicians to expand patient access to FLIGHT.”
Glaucoma affects an estimated 76 million people worldwide, with that figure expected to rise to 112 million by 2040. If left undiagnosed or untreated, the disease can result in irreversible sight loss. Reducing intraocular pressure remains the only proven way to slow visual field deterioration.
Founded in 1996 by Mr Daya, Centre for Sight is one of the UK’s longest-established specialist eye clinics. It is recognised for introducing advanced technologies and treating complex eye conditions that are often unsuitable for treatment elsewhere.
Mr Daya has performed more than 35,000 cataract operations and a similar number of laser eye procedures. Centre for Sight has state-of-the-art facilities in London’s Harley Street Medical Area, East Grinstead and Surrey.
Mr Daya added: “Our purpose is to provide innovative treatments that transform lives. Glaucoma can be devastating because sight loss is irreversible, so advances that allow earlier intervention with greater precision and a better patient experience are incredibly important.”
Mr Gus Gazzard, Director of Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital and a user of the laser at Centre for Sight, will perform the second operation this week. He said: “The ability to deliver a precise, image-guided femtosecond laser treatment without opening the eye represents a compelling advancement in glaucoma therapy. The level of visualisation and procedural precision offered by the platform is particularly impressive.”
