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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A new femtosecond laser procedure called FLIgHT could transform glaucoma treatment by eliminating the need for daily eye drops. Combining OCT image guidance with laser precision, it creates tiny openings in the eye's drainage system to reduce pressure — with minimal trauma and no implant required. Two-year data show sustained pressure lowering, and an FDA trial is currently underway.
For millions of glaucoma patients juggling multiple eye drops every day, a new procedure may offer a long-awaited alternative. FLIgHT (Femtosecond Laser Image-Guided High-Precision Trabeculotomy), developed by ViaLase, uses OCT imaging combined with femtosecond laser technology to create precise openings in the trabecular meshwork — the eye's drainage tissue — allowing fluid to flow more freely and reducing intraocular pressure.
Unlike traditional surgical options like goniotomy, FLIgHT causes significantly less trauma, bleeding, and tissue disruption. It carries no risk of hypotony and requires no implant. From the patient's perspective, the experience is comparable to selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) — no IV, no sedation, and potentially performable in an office setting. Crucially, it's being developed as a stand-alone procedure, not tied to cataract surgery, making it accessible at any stage of disease.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: If FLIgHT clears FDA approval and achieves favorable reimbursement, it could meaningfully shift glaucoma management away from the daily drop burden that plagues patient adherence — a persistent challenge in preserving vision long-term.
