Three patients have become the first in the UK to test a new surgical implant to drain excess eye fluid caused by glaucoma at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH).
Named eyeWatch, the device was the first of its kind to allow a post-operative flow adjustment in clinic and reduced the risk of under or over-drainage to lessen side effects and the need for further surgery.
Rheon Medical has manufactured the device, which is inserted through the skin at the front of the eye and into the white area. It is then connected to a drainage tube which moves excess fluid to the back of the eye where it can be reabsorbed. There is a built-in magnetically controlled flow mechanism that opens and closes the device based on eye pressure using a magnetic pen.
Leon Au, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at MREH, said: ‘We have been involved in the research of many novel fixed flow devices especially for the treatment of mild and moderate glaucoma. However, with the eyeWatch I’m excited to see for the first time a drainage device that is easy to adjust and aims to tackle advanced glaucoma.’
The study was to last for 18 months and 15 people are taking part in the Manchester trial.