The partnership aims to explore the intersection of advanced laser technology and improved glaucoma care.
San Francisco, CA – ViaLase (San Francisco, US), a maker of ophthalmic laser technologies, announced a strategic research partnership with John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah, home to the prestigious Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation (Crandall Center).
The partnership’s stated purpose is the advancement of current treatment paradigms in glaucoma by applying understanding the intersection of fluid dynamics, intraocular pressure and laser-based glaucoma treatment.
The research will be led by Dr. Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, a globally-renowned glaucoma surgeon and the director of the Crandall Center. Joining Dr. Ahmed are Fiona McDonnell, PhD, a distinguished scientist with expertise in iPerfusion methodologies, and Ian Pitha, MD, PhD, the associate director of the Crandall Center.
“Our collaboration with ViaLase perfectly aligns with the Crandall Center’s mission to transform glaucoma treatment through precision medicine and innovation,” said Dr. Ahmed in a news release. “The ViaLase procedure has the potential to provide a new paradigm in interventional glaucoma, and we are thrilled to explore its possibilities using Moran’s advanced research capabilities.”
Exploring aqueous outflow dynamics with iPerfusion technology
The partnership aims to advance understanding of how aqueous humor flows through the eye’s natural drainage pathways by leveraging Moran’s iPerfusion technology. Researchers will evaluate the impact of creating multiple microscopic outflow channels and determine their optimal placement to maximize the IOP-lowering effects of the ViaLase procedure.
iPerfusion technology is a novel platform used for measuring fluid and intraocular pressure dynamics in the eye, including the movement flow of aqueous humor.
Insights from iPerfusion will be combined with the ViaLase laser procedure, which uses advanced femtosecond laser technology to create ultra-precise apertures in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal. These channels are designed to enhance the drainage of aqueous humor, a key mechanism for reducing intraocular pressure and improving outcomes for glaucoma patients.
This approach will shed light on how these techniques affect the eye’s conventional outflow system, offering new insights into glaucoma treatment.
Commenting on the partnership, ViaLase CEO Tibor Juhasz, PhD, said: “Partnering with the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Ahmed, Prof. McDonnell, and Dr. Pitha is a significant milestone for ViaLase. Their world-class expertise in iPerfusion research techniques offers unparalleled insights into aqueous humor outflow and intraocular pressure dynamics, making them an ideal collaborator in our mission to develop innovative solutions for patients with glaucoma. This capability, combined with ViaLase’s pioneering femtosecond laser platform, offers the potential for significant advancements in glaucoma care.”
