Update on Use of Low-Power Ultrasound Treatment for Glaucoma

Sunday, April 27, 2014: 2:07 PM
Room 155 (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center)
Donald Schwartz, MD Long Beach, CA, USA

Narrative Responses:

Purpose
A novel low power ultrasound is being developed for the treatment of open angle glaucoma.  Clinical studies have been initiated with the purpose of determining safety and efficacy. The device, therapeutic ultrasound for glaucoma (TUG) has been designed to enhance outflow of aqueous humor.

Methods
A prospective study for 6 months of the open angle glaucomas with two branches has begun. One branch is subjects who are not on pharmaceutical agents to determine the effect of treatment. The other branch is subjects who are on medication to determine the additional effect of the treatment.

Results
Final results are not known at this writing; however early results indicate a significant effect on IOP (greater than 20%) and an easily tolerated treatment.

Conclusion
Early work with TUG indicate an easily tolerated treatment for open angle glaucoma which has potential for either adjunctive therapy or initial treatment for open angle glaucoma