A pioneering, non-invasive surgical technique for treating glaucoma will be demonstrated on the ABHI’s ‘Surgical Simulation Theatre’ at Future Surgery 2021 in November.
Leading eye clinic The London Ophthalmology Centre (LondonOC) in partnership with The Harley Street Eye Hospital (HSEH) – which offers some of the latest innovative techniques for the diagnosis and management of eye diseases in the UK – has developed a new, less-invasive technique for the application of Xen stent into the eye to treat glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged, which can lead to a degrading of the eyesight. The traditional procedure for treating the condition, a trabeculectomy, involves opening the tissue at the front of the eye and many stitches. However, it is successful in 80% of cases and scar tissue can form over the incision, causing the fluid to build up again. There can also be side-effects include blurred vision and possible loss of vision from a bleed in the eye and a risk of infection.
The revised and enhanced treatment to apply the Xen gel stent into the eye, developed by LondonOC, results in less scar tissue and faster healing times for patients, leading to better outcomes for the most serious cases of glaucoma. A simulation of the ground-breaking technique will be performed on the ABHI’s state-of-the-art ‘Surgical Simulation Theatre of the Future’ at this year’s Future Surgery Show, led by Specialist Glaucoma and Cataract Consultant Surgeon Mr Vik Sharma.
Mr Vik Sharma (MBBS BSc FRCOphth), Clinical Director, London OC, commented: “The development of minimally invasive techniques such as the Xen stent is now refining eye surgery. While the latest innovations in lens replacement have created a transformative yet simple procedure that revolutionises patients’ sight. I am delighted to be joining the ABHI Pavilion to demonstrate these life-changing and novel surgical techniques at this year’s Future Surgery Show, which is dedicated to all that is new in surgery.”
At the show, Mr Vik Sharma will also be demonstrating the ground-breaking Intraocular Lens (IOL) Replacement (or refractive lens exchange) treatment, a unique procedure that can correct many different eye disorders and does not degrade over time.
Many suitable patients report a transformational result following treatment, which includes brighter colouration, no need for reading glasses and no deterioration, which means that the eyes remain at their optimum level for the rest of people’s lives, in contrast to laser eye surgery where patient may find themselves in need of further treatment within 10 years and still need reading glasses.
Mr Vik Sharma adds: “Lens Replacement surgery benefits from years of experience and the evolution of millions of cataract surgeries so it’s a simple yet sophisticated procedure. There is one micro incision, followed by a swift removal and replacement with the new synthetic lens designed to last for 100 years.”
There are around 3 million Lens Replacement surgeries each year throughout Europe. At Future of Surgery 2021, visitors will be able to see LondonOC’s Mr Vik Sharma demonstrating this new, cutting-edge technique to practice, alongside innovations in lens glaucoma and cataract surgery.
Paul Benton, Managing Director, International at the ABHI added: “We are delighted to be joined by Mr Vik Sharma from the world-class London OC, who will be showcasing truly pioneering techniques for the treatment of various eye conditions on the ABHI Pavilion. Our simulated surgical theatre is designed to celebrate collaborations between healthcare providers, clinicians and healthcare technology companies, allowing visitors to watch Britain’s best surgeons in action, and this session is not to be missed.”
Future of Surgery 2021 takes place 9th - 10th November 2021 at ExCel, London. Throughout the show, ABHI’s ‘Operating Theatre of The Future’ will be replicating a fully working operating theatre. All live simulation sessions throughout the two-day event will be livestreamed through the virtual UK Healthcare Pavilion.
The ground-breaking ‘Innovation for Cataracts, Glaucoma and Lens Replacement’ session will take place on 9 November, 13:50 – 14:35.
