Franciscan Physicians Hospital is the first hospital in Indiana to purchase Trabectome minimally invasive glaucoma treatment, according to NeoMedix, Inc.
Trabectome, developed by NeoMedix, Inc., Tustin, CA, is an FDA-cleared device that removes glaucoma-causing tissue, improves natural drainage pathways of the eye and eliminates pressure safely without the aid of mechanical implants or shunts. Trabectome is featured on the Glaucoma Research Foundation website as breakthrough technology for the treatment of glaucoma: http://www.glaucoma.org/.
As the first area provider of this new treatment in Indiana, Franciscan Physicians Hospital is joining several other nationally recognized health care institutions including Jules Stein, Mayo Clinic, Bascom Palmer, Duke, and Yale Medical.
Trabectome surgery is performed through a small incision and does not leave a permanent hole or pocket in the eye wall, allowing patients to return home the same day. The Trabectome procedure, taking approximately 20 minutes, maintains a remarkably high success rate in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) with minimum side effects.
Trabectome procedures at Franciscan Physicians Hospital will be performed by Karen Briggs, DO, and Aurabind Balagani, MD.
"This system will open up a whole new horizon in treating patients with glaucoma. This is a minimally invasive system, which is the best choice because it minimizes the chance for infection now and even years after a surgery case," Briggs said, adding, "Although anyone can develop glaucoma, some people are at a higher risk than others. For instance, persons over age 60 are at a higher risk for developing glaucoma, as well as Latinos and people with a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma is also the leading cause of blindness for African Americans. It's important that anyone in these risk groups receives an eye pressure check and dilated pupil eye exam every year."
Barb Greene, president of Franciscan Physicians Hospital, states, "The Trabectome system is a great advancement for the community. It's just one more example of how we're providing minimally invasive care to serve our patients with reduced risk and cost effectiveness. We're looking forward to the expansion of this system as we lead the NWI region with this new method of care."
For more information, visit http://www.franciscanphysicianshospital.com/ or http://www.neomedix.net/.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma, the second-leading cause of blindness, is a disease that causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve from increasing pressure within the eye. The Glaucoma Research Foundation states that glaucoma loss is not curable, vision lost cannot be regained, and that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma, yet only half know it. The Foundation adds that the most common form of glaucoma, called open angle glaucoma, has virtually no symptoms and generally no pain associated with the increase in eye pressure. The first sign of glaucoma is loss of peripheral vision that is usually not noticed by the patient until it affects the central vision.
No comments:
Post a Comment