Sight Sciences launching new series of surgical system

the surgical system can be used before, in combination with, or following cataract surgery. (Image courtesy of Joshua Olson, MD, comprehensive ophthalmologist, University of Minnesota)

Sight Sciences Inc. today announced the United States launch of its Ergo-Series of OMNI Surgical System, a technology that facilitates surgeons’ ability to perform minimally invasive, implant-free glaucoma procedures in adults with primary open-angle glaucoma.

According to the company, its surgical system enables a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that addresses all 3 known points of resistance in the aqueous outflow system: the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm’s canal, and the collector channels. It can be used before, in combination with, or following cataract surgery.

The company notes that the features of the Ergo-Series include improved handle ergonomics, simplified viscoelastic preparation, and new cannula tip design.

"The Ergo-Series maintains the same therapeutic functionality as the second-generation Omni Surgical System,” Reay Brown, MD, a glaucoma specialist and Sight Science's chief medical officer, said in the news release. “The technology enhancements provide additional benefits that enable surgeons to perform an innovative, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery."

Zarmeena Vendal, MD, glaucoma surgeon and founder of Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, Texas, said the new cannula tip technology is the biggest improvement.

“The profile of the tip enables me to score the trabecular meshwork more confidently and makes entry into Schlemm’s canal gentler,” Vendal said in the news release. “In addition, when I deploy the catheter, I can follow the path of the Schlemm’s canal a bit more naturally. In our glaucoma surgery practice, access to the OMNI Surgical System lets us provide these technology procedures for the benefit of our patients.”

According to the news release, the Ergo-Series enables surgeons to provide a minimally invasive, implant-free surgery to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adults with primary open-angle glaucoma. The device’s indications for use, contraindications, warning, and precautions remain unchanged. The OMNI Surgical System is indicated for canaloplasty (microcatheterization and transluminal viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal) followed by trabeculotomy (cutting of trabecular meshwork) to reduce intraocular pressure in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. It can be used before, in combination with, or following cataract surgery.

“OMNI is an innovative technology developed to enable a surgeon to perform a circumferential and complete outflow procedure that addresses all three known points of resistance in the aqueous outflow system through a single clear corneal incision,” Paul Badawi, CEO and co-founder of Sight Sciences, said in the news release. “We are committed to continually innovating and improving our core technologies alongside our surgeon partners in order to provide the greatest benefit to patients suffering from primary open-angle glaucoma. Based on the initial feedback, we are confident the Ergo-Series of the OMNI Surgical System will continue to raise the bar.”

The Ergo-Series of the OMNI Surgical System is expected to be available outside the United States later this year.