Bausch + Lomb Acquires Elios Vision, Bolsters Glaucoma Portfolio

The eye care giant is making its move into interventional glaucoma.

Bausch + Lomb (Ontario, Canada) announced today that an affiliate has acquired Elios Vision (California, USA), the developer of the ELIOS procedure—the first clinically validated, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that uses a precision excimer laser.

The ELIOS procedure works by using a non-thermal laser to make small holes in the trabecular meshwork. According to the company, the procedure is less invasive, preserves more tissue than alternative treatments, and can be done in conjunction with cataract surgery.

“ELIOS provides a tissue-friendly, precision non-thermal laser-based and highly adaptable procedure for the treatment of glaucoma,” said renowned glaucoma surgeon Prof. Ike Ahmed of the University of Toronto and Moran Eye Center. “The synergy between cataract surgery and MIGS can help ophthalmologists provide streamlined care and improve patient quality of life.”

Luc Bonnefoy, president of Surgical at Bausch + Lomb, commented on the alignment of the acquisition with the company’s mission. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to investing in smart, innovative technologies that enable eye care professionals to better address the evolving needs of their patients.”

This acquisition bolsters Bausch + Lomb’s glaucoma portfolio and paves the way for new treatment opportunities that integrate glaucoma care with cataract surgery. With the acquisition, Bausch + Lomb joins several other giants, including Alcon, with their recent acquisition of Belkin Vision.

Insights into the ELIOS procedure

The ELIOS procedure offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional glaucoma surgeries. It uses a non-thermal excimer laser to lower intraocular pressure, which is key for managing the disease. 

During the procedure, mini ablations from a non-thermal laser create ten microchannels in the trabecular meshwork, reducing intraocular pressure by improving outflow dynamics. 

Critically, the procedure can be performed during cataract surgery—the most commonly performed surgical procedure globally—giving doctors a unique opportunity to address two conditions at once.

What’s next?

With the acquisition of ELIOS, Bausch + Lomb has given a strong signal about how its company views the future of glaucoma. The company hopes that its adoption could mark a significant step forward in making interventional glaucoma procedures like MIGS, combined with cataract surgery, the new standard of care in glaucoma treatment. 

For Elliot Friedman, former chairman and CEO of Elios Vision, joining forces with Bausch + Lomb also means scaling the technology to a global level. 

“Bausch + Lomb’s extensive reach in cataract surgery will introduce ELIOS to a broader range of eye care professionals and help change the treatment paradigm,” Friedman said. With operations in nearly 100 countries, Bausch + Lomb is uniquely positioned to bring this innovative procedure to patients worldwide.