Medical firm PolyPhotonix has rolled out a diabetic retinopathy preventative sleep mask treatment for NHS eligible patients.
In a UK wide launch, optical practices will have access to the Noctura 400 Sleep Mask as an early-stage, non-invasive home treatment, which aimed to reduce NHS waiting lists by stopping the eye condition from progressing to intravitreal injections.
The mask is said to deliver a precise dose of light therapy during sleep and is programmed to administer the correct dose of light each night, as part of a continuous therapy, which prevents the retina becoming oxygen starved at night, during dark adaptation.
An NHS evaluation resulted in 96% of diabetic eye disease patients seeing a clinical improvement and avoiding further deterioration of the retina after using the mask, according to PolyPhotonix.
Richard Kirk, CEO at PolyPhotonix, said: ‘Noctura 400 is a cutting-edge innovation in eye care – non-invasive and effective, it gives optometrists another tool in the armoury and makes commercial sense. I have no doubt it will prove popular amongst independent optometrists, many of whom have already registered their interest in providing this innovative treatment to their customers and offering greater choice.’
PolyPhotonix has also worked with diabetes healthcare management company Embecta, to accelerate the rollout.