UnitedHealthcare updates Glaucoma Surgical Treatments policy

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has updated its Glaucoma Surgical Treatments policy to include goniotomy, trabeculotomy, canaloplasty (ab interno), combined canaloplasty (ab interno), and trabeculotomy procedures when deemed medically necessary for treating mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and cataracts in adults currently being treated with ocular hypotensive medication.

According to a press release from Sight Sciences, this update from UHC includes procedures enabled with its OMNI Surgical System technology.

The updated coverage policy takes effect on October 1, 2025, and applies to UHC’s commercial and individual exchange benefit plans. UHC currently covers around 50 million Americans.¹

Paul Badawi, co-founder and CEO of Sight Sciences, commented on the policy update in a press release from the company, saying, “We are pleased that UHC’s clinical review resulted in expanded coverage for implant-free, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures, including OMNI, which is an important part of the glaucoma treatment paradigm. As a result of this positive coverage policy, UHC’s members will have access to the OMNI technology when deemed medically necessary by their ophthalmologist.”

The OMNI Surgical System is FDA-cleared and indicated for canaloplasty followed by trabeculotomy to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The procedure can be performed before, in combination with, or after cataract surgery.

The OMNI Surgical System (Sight Sciences) uses a handpiece to thread a catheter into the Schlemm canal, injecting viscoelastic as it is withdrawn. A newer iteration is the OMNI Edge. The primary advantages of this device are its ease of use and minimal complications. Its limitations are that it only allows movement in 1 direction, 180° at a time, and does not produce the helpful blanching of the episcleral veins.²

References:

1. Sight Sciences Announces the OMNI® Surgical System to be Included in UnitedHealthcare’s® Expanded Coverage of Glaucoma Surgical Treatments. Published September 9, 2025. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://investors.sightsciences.com/news-releases/news-release-details/sight-sciences-announces-omnir-surgical-system-be-included

2. Charters L. Glaucoma techniques advance with innovative viscoelastic delivery. Published August 28, 2025. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/glaucoma-techniques-advance-with-innovative-viscoelastic-delivery