Iridex Corporation,a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation for the ophthalmology and otolaryngology market,  has launched a new non-invasive, in-office glaucoma procedure based on its proprietary MicroPulse technology.

The new glaucoma therapy, a tissue-sparing, repeatable therapy called MicroPulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (MLT), was introduced by Iridex at the recent American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

MicroPulse is a tissue-sparing laser delivery therapy that works by electronically "chopping" the laser emission into trains of microsecond pulses. This enhances the physician's ability to more precisely control the laser effects on target tissues, offering the potential for ocular treatment with less collateral effects than conventional laser treatments.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of adult irreversible blindness. It is estimated that more than 4 million people in the US and approximately 60 million people worldwide are afflicted with the disease today.

MLT was first introduced by Iridex in its infrared laser platforms, but recent technology advancements have now made it available with the IRIDEX green Iridex tem (IQ 532), our most versatile and highest selling laser used by the broadest group of ophthalmologists. The unique ability of the IQ 532 to offer tissue-sparing repeatable therapies for both glaucoma and retinal diseases represents a market breakthrough as well as providing ophthalmologists a very high return on their capital investment, said Dr. Dominik Beck, Iridex president and CEO.

David Gossage, M.D., medical director of the Gossage Eye Institute, noted that the addition of the MicroPulse module to the IQ 532 system makes it a valid option for a much broader patient population than has historically been the case.

"Compared to other lasers used for the treatment of glaucoma, the IQ 532 with the MicroPulse module offers greater versatility because it can also be used for a range of other conditions including diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears," Dr. Gossage said. "I'm comfortable offering MLT to glaucoma patients as a first-line option because of its potential to reduce intraocular pressure without causing tissue damage."

MLT produces laser pulses at very short durations to create a therapeutic response of lowering the intra-ocular pressure of a glaucoma patient without thermal damage.