HSMA eye clinic demonstrates pioneering surgical techniques

Two of the HSMA’s leading eye clinics, London Ophthalmology Centre (London OC) and The Harley Street Eye Hospital, have joined together to develop a new, less-invasive technique for the application of a Xen stent into the eye to treat glaucoma, which is set to be demonstrated by London OC at the Future Surgery 2021 show in November.

The traditional procedure for treating glaucome, a trabeculectomy, involves opening the tissue at the front of the eye, resulting in the need for many stitches. Although it is successful in 80% of cases, scar tissue can form over the incision, causing the fluid to build up again. Potential side-effects include a risk of infection, blurred vision and possible loss of vision from a bleed in the eye.

Applying the Xen gel stent into the eye 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 at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) Future of Surgery 2021 show, which takes place 9th-10th November at ExCel, London. The demonstration will be led by specialist glaucoma and cataract consultant surgeon Mr Vik Sharma, the clinical director of London OC.

Mr Sharma 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.”

Mr Vik Sharma, London OC

Ground-breaking IOL replacement treatment
At the show, Mr Sharma will also be demonstrating the ground-breaking intraocular lens (IOL) replacement (or refractive lens exchange) treatment, a 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, in contrast to laser eye surgery, after which patients may find themselves in need of further treatment within 10 years and still need reading glasses.

Mr Sharma said: “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.”