Centre for Sight is offering patients the opportunity to treat both cataracts and glaucoma in a single procedure – using ELIOS, a groundbreaking, implant-free excimer laser technology.
While many glaucoma treatments require the placement of a permanent microimplant inside the eye, ELIOS (Excimer Laser Trabeculostomy) avoids this by using laser light energy to create 10 precision microchannels within the trabecular meshwork – the eye’s natural drainage tissue.
These channels enhance the eye’s natural fluid outflow and lower intraocular pressure (IOP) without leaving anything behind.
The ELIOS procedure can be performed at the same time as cataract surgery – either before or after lens removal – or as a standalone treatment. Its safety profile is comparable to cataract surgery, which is one of the safest and most routinely performed operations in the world.
Post-operative benefits include:
- Sustained IOP reduction for up to 8 years
- Up to 80 per cent of patients’ medication-free one year after surgery
- Significant medication reduction for up to 4 years
With cataract surgery expected to be performed around 32 million times globally in 2025, and with up to 20 per cent of cataract patients also living with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, the combined approach offers a rare opportunity to address one of the world’s leading causes of blindness during the most common surgical procedure.
Sheraz Daya, medical director at Centre for Sight said: “The excimer laser used in the Elios treatment is one that I have used in performing laser eye surgery for vision correction since 1991.
“It is unique in that the laser removes tissue without generating heat and thus avoids a wound healing reaction.
“Creating multiple openings into the draining channel of the eye in a very precise manner is an alternative to many of the other microincisional glaucoma procedures many of which have a very good track record.
“The absence of any devices or implants is for some patients and eye surgeons an attractive proposition.”
Following the combined procedure, patients may experience mild scratchiness and temporary blurred vision – both of which typically improve quickly.
Centre for Sight was founded in 1996 by internationally renowned ophthalmic surgeon Sheraz Daya. Mr Daya, who has performed more than 30,000 cataract procedures, is a pioneer in laser vision correction, corneal and refractive surgery.
For more information, visit www.centreforsight.com
