IOPtima glaucoma treatment shows sustained success

Bio-Light Israeli Life Sciences Investments Ltd. (TASE:BOLT) portfolio company IOPtima Ltd has received the results from the six months follow-up monitoring period of the clinical trial for OT134 device and procedure for glaucoma. The trial, comprising 32 patients, is being conducted in Mexico

The laser-based OT134 device enables a non-invasive procedure that does not penetrate the eye membrane to reduce the internal eye pressure that causes glaucoma. The patients, who were slated to undergo surgery to reduce internal eye pressure, underwent a procedure using Ioptima's device. The internal eye pressure in 30 of the patients fell by an average of 44% after six months from 26.6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to 14 mm Hg, and reduced their medication consumption by an average of 88%. The success rate, defined as reducing the internal eye pressure to less than 18 mm Hg, with or without medication, was 93%.

The OT134 device was also found to be safe. The results represent a high degree of success and safety compared with current glaucoma procedures.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 24, 2008