Study suggests ultrasound blast helps eight out of ten glaucoma patients

Research on over 60 people has suggested that a five minute blast of ultrasound being used to treat glaucoma, helps in eight out of ten patients and the effects last for at least two years.

 

Glaucoma, which affects over one million people in the UK, develops when pressure builds up inside the eye.

 

In a healthy eye, fluid nourishes the lens and maintains the shape of the eye.  But if too much of this fluid, called the aqueous humour, is produced or if the drainage channels become blocked, pressure can build up, damaging the optic nerve.

 

The new ultrasound device works by triggering shockwaves or vibrations that are able to break up tissue with pinpoint accuracy.  The patient’s eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops and the device is positioned over the eye.  It then fires pulses of ultrasound on to the ciliary body, the area of the eye that pumps out the aqueous humour.

 

As part of a two year study at Genoa University, 66 patients were treated with the device.  The results showed that overall patients had a 40.5 per cent drop in pressure.

 

Gwyn Williams, consultant ophthalmologist at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, says “Lasers have been tried and had similar effects, but they have serious side-effects.  This might be a useful alternative, although the work into ensuring its safety is only just beginning.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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