ViaLase Launches Clinical Trial for Incision-Free Glaucoma Procedure

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ViaLase Launches Clinical Trial for Incision-Free Glaucoma Procedure

On December 3, ViaLase announced a significant milestone: the first patient treated in its US Investigational Device Exemption clinical trial for a femtosecond laser trabeculotomy procedure. This incision-free approach targets glaucoma management by enhancing the eye's natural drainage pathway to lower IOP.

The prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial—designed in consultation with the FDA—compares ViaLase’s procedure with selective laser trabeculoplasty, the current standard laser therapy for IOP reduction. Aimed at supporting future regulatory clearance and US commercialization, the study evaluates safety, efficacy, and durability in glaucoma patients seeking non-pharmacologic alternatives.

Thomas W. Samuelson, MD, founding partner at Minnesota Eye Consultants and trial medical monitor, hailed it as a “significant milestone for the broader glaucoma community.” He noted the potential for randomized data to “reshape the glaucoma treatment paradigm,” emphasizing the demand for safe, effective, incision-free options amid rising interest in noninvasive therapies.

ViaLase CEO Shawn O’Neil echoed this, stating the trial advances their mission to deliver precision-based IOP control. The femtosecond laser offers a less invasive alternative to traditional surgeries, potentially ushering in a new era of glaucoma care focused on safety and patient experience. With millions of people worldwide affected by glaucoma, this could transform treatment standards.

My Two Cents

If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you know I am extremely pro-interventional glaucoma. Getting patients off drops they’re not using correctly or regularly with a straightforward procedure that works better is a no-brainer in my book.

This new ViaLase ViaLuxe laser system is a cool way to help our glaucoma patients. Evidently, it creates exact and customized drainage channels through the trabecular meshwork without actually “opening up the eye.” That right there is hard to fathom. Before digging into this procedure, I wasn’t sure how different it was from a goniotomy, but this is something else entirely. A video on the company’s website more thoroughly explains the procedure; in a nutshell, it functions like this:

• The patient is “docked” into the laser system, and the eye is secured via vacuum suction. The company’s “proprietary gonioscopic capabilities” display micron-level clarity in real-time video of the iridocorneal angle, allowing the surgical team to inspect the entire angle and select the best treatment locations.
• A specialized “optical delivery system” is attached, which delivers “tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses” through the cornea and into the iridocorneal angle at the spots selected by the surgery team.
• The treatment spots are single chambers that are 500 μm wide and 200 μm high within the trabecular meshwork, which results in a treatment of 5° of the angle.

OUTSIDE THE LANE

Olive Oil Shot: Viral Trend or Overhyped Fad?

The “olive oil shot” has taken social media by storm, with TikTok and Instagram users touting a daily spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil—often mixed with lemon juice or water—as a morning elixir for better health. Promoters claim it curbs cravings, boosts digestion, reduces bloating and inflammation, enhances immune function, promotes glowing skin, and delivers sustained energy. Influencers such as Kavita Channe, a wellness advocate, swear by it. “When I stopped avoiding fat and focused on clean sources, my digestion and energy completely changed,” she said in an interview. One TikToker reported less mid-morning snacking, attributing it solely to the oil, while another noted no weight gain despite the added calories.

The trend's appeal lies in olive oil's well-known nutritional profile. It is packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, antioxidants that combat inflammation. General research supports olive oil’s role in the Mediterranean diet, linking it to a lower risk of heart disease, stable blood sugar, and improved skin health. However, enthusiasts’ bold assertions remain largely anecdotal, lacking robust clinical trials specifically on these “shots.”

Enter the skeptics. Family physician Will Haas, MD, warns that it is “more hype than medicine.” While he praises extra-virgin olive oil's benefits—"rich in polyphenols and healthy fats that support inflammation balance, blood sugar stability, and skin health”—he argues that you don't need to chug it like a supplement. “Most people get the same, or better, benefits by using it consistently in their diet rather than swallowing it straight,” Haas advises. He recommends drizzling a tablespoon over meals for optimal absorption and digestion, starting small to avoid discomfort.

Potential downsides? Downing straight oil on an empty stomach can trigger nausea, loose stool, or digestive upset. Plus, it adds several hundred calories weekly, which could backfire for weight-conscious folks. Haas emphasizes choosing cold-pressed, high-polyphenol varieties but stresses moderation.

Ultimately, the article concludes that olive oil shines brightest in balanced meals, not as a standalone challenge. Bottom line: Olive oil is great for you, but it tends to work best as part of a balanced diet rather than the latest wellness challenge. This viral ritual may spark interest in healthy fats, but experts urge evidence-based habits over fleeting fads.

My Two Cents

Well, well, well. Another TikTok fad. This one doesn’t exactly seem unhealthy or dangerous like many of the previous ones (eg, Tide Pod challenge, blackout challenge, etc), but it does not seem to have much science to back it up either—much like most of TikTok, actually. It does make logical sense, though! We know that high-quality extra-virgin olive oil is rich in potent antiinflammatory compounds, and incorporating more of it into your diet is a no-brainer. However, it does make you question how well the oils would be absorbed on an empty stomach and whether that could cause an upset stomach or other issues. Regardless, this is something to keep an eye on!

CAN YOU RELATE

This is my 154^th Significant Findings newsletter. We have been going strong and have never missed a single newsletter—not for a holiday, a family emergency, or even a vacation. It’s been an amazing nearly 3 years sharing my thoughts and interests regarding eye care, entrepreneurship, and life with all of you. It’s been one of life’s greatest blessings to run into so many readers at various conferences and to hear feedback on what I write. My son, Brooks, is already known by so many people in this profession, and he doesn’t even understand what optometry is yet! It’s been an honor to share my journey and experiences with you these past few years!

However, all good things must come to an end, and I have decided to end the newsletter at the end of 2025. Life has gotten too busy over the years with my clinic, where I personally see 30 to 50 patients each day, being a single dad to Brooks and our doodle-dog Buddy, and running various companies, including Dry Eye Drink, Eyedration, and my newest venture, Eyederm Cosmetics.

People shouldn’t spread themselves too thin…and it’s the same with me. Not to mention when my dear friend and former Modern Optometry editor-in-chief Karen Roman resigned, it felt like a good time to make a change myself. It’s a blessing to be able to go out on your own terms, and this is how I choose to end Significant Findings. You’ll be hearing from me for a few more weeks before I hang it up for good, and I hope you continue to stay up to date on the fantastic work our field is producing!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Always quit while you’re ahead. That’s the secret of show business.”

—Mickey Rooney