Glaucoma shunt clinical trial to assess safety and efficacy

Miami and New Haven, CT-A clinical trial has begun that will assess the safety and efficacy of a glaucoma shunt (Aquashunt, Opko Health) designed to lower IOP in patients with refractory open-angle glaucoma.

Being conducted at two academic departments in ophthalmology, the study will enroll 20 patients.

The shunt is designed to lower IOP by allowing excess fluid in the eye to exit more naturally than occurs with presently available devices, according to the company.

"We are pleased by the simplicity of the surgical procedure for the device and by the early results in the first human trials,” said Bruce Shields, professor of ophthalmology at Yale University, New Haven, CT, and designer of the shunt. “These early results provide further validation of our optimism for the future of the [shunt], and we look forward to completing our clinical trials and bringing this product to market."