FDA Okays Israeli Contactless Glaucoma Laser Surgery

An Israeli company has received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for the use of its automatic and noninvasive glaucoma laser surgery device.

The Eagle, developed by BELKIN Vision, is the first and only contactless laser surgery for glaucoma patients.

It automatically targets the location it needs to address to deliver laser energy directly through the eye, and uses a tracker to compensate for any of the patient’s eye movement.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause irreversible blindness by damaging the optic nerve at the back of the eye. According to the US National Eye Institute, scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes glaucoma but believe that the high eye pressure is caused by the inability to drain fluid out of the front of the eye.

A glaucoma laser surgery normally requires a gonioscopy, which is when the physician places a special contact lens directly on the eye and uses a beam of light to open up its drainage tube, allowing more fluid to drain out and reducing the pressure. 

The effects of traditional laser surgery, however, may wear off over time and necessitate repeat procedures or the eventual use of other glaucoma treatments.

“This achievement has been possible thanks to the skill, passion, and dedication of our entire team,” said BELKIN Vision CEO, Daria Lemann-Blumenthal.

“We believe that this FDA clearance will have a positive impact on the lives of those affected by glaucoma, offering novel treatment methods and renewed hope for the future.”