Alcon Announces US Launch of Voyager DSLT for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Alcon announced the full US commercial availability of Voyager DSLT, the first and only direct selective laser trabeculoplasty device (DSLT).

According to Alcon, Voyager DSLT may accelerate the adoption of laser as a first-line therapy, making the treatment availability for more patients. Designed for an exceptional patient and physician experience, Voyager DSLT is fully automated—efficiently delivering 120 laser pulses without the need for a gonio lens as with manual SLT.[2,3] 

View EyewireTV's coverage of the launch here. 

“I have been using Voyager DSLT since October of 2024, and it has made an incredible impact on the use of SLT for my practice,” Inder Paul Singh, MD, President of The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, said in a company news release. “My patients have been delighted by the efficiency, comfort level of the treatment, and overall experience. Voyager DSLT has been embraced by my staff and is easy to implement, allowing me to treat more of my patients with a recognized first-line standard in glaucoma treatment.”

Notable medical societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and others from around the world, recognize SLT as an effective first-line therapy.[6-8] However, Alcon says practical challenges, such as the duration of treatment and specialized training necessary to perform manual SLT, have limited its accessibility for many doctors and the patients who would otherwise benefit from it.[3]

Voyager DSLT is controlled through an intuitive touchscreen, taking the slit lamp and manual gonio lens aiming out of the equation, and reduces the specialized training required with manual SLT.[2] Voyager DSLT is designed to offer precise delivery, powered by SureTrac eye-tracking technology, to accurately and safely deliver laser pulses through the limbus to the trabecular meshwork, stimulating the eye's natural healing response to improve aqueous outflow.[2] Additionally, in a survey of 24 physicians who experienced a DSLT demo, 96% agreed they would want to be offered first-line DSLT if they were patients.[10]

A randomized, controlled trial has shown that DSLT delivers effective IOP control and has a strong safety profile with low risk of adverse events.[3]* The data and early feedback demonstrate:

• Nearly 2 out of 3 (62%) DSLT participants were medication-free at 12 months[3]
• After 6 months, nearly all DSLT patients indicated they would recommend the treatment to a friend with glaucoma[10]**
• ​The benefits of DSLT position laser therapy to become a more widespread first-line intervention for glaucoma patients[3,10]

AGS attendees can also learn more at the “Unlock First-line Glaucoma Care: Voyager™ DSLT” launch symposium, in the Diamond Theatre (Palladian Room) on February 27 at 7:15 a.m. EST. Register here for the launch event. For more information on Voyager DSLT, please visit our website.

Voyager DSLT is indicated to perform SLT and is currently available in select markets in the EU, the UK, and now the US. The device adds to Alcon’s glaucoma portfolio, which includes Hydrus Microstent, the EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device, and pharmaceutical drops.

References

1. Ehrlich JR, Zeb Burke-Conte, Wittenborn JS, et al. Prevalence of Glaucoma Among US Adults in 2022. JAMA Ophthalmology. Published online 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.3884.
2. Voyager DSLT User Guide; 2024.
3. GLAUrious Study - Clinical Study Report (CSR). CA-RP-01-006, Rev. 01; 2022.
4. CDC. Current Glaucoma Programs. Vision and Eye Health. Published May 21, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/php/glaucoma-programs/index.html.
5. Glaucoma Facts and Stats | glaucoma.org. (2022, February 28). Retrieved February 17, 2023, from glaucoma.org website: http://glaucoma.org/glaucoma-facts-and-stats.
6. Gazzard G, Konstantakopoulou E, Garway-Heath D, et al. Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) Trial: Six-Year Results of Primary Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty versus Eye Drops for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension. Ophthalmology. 2023;130(2):139-151. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.09.009.
7. Takusagawa HL, Hoguet A, Sit AJ, et al. Selective laser trabeculoplasty for the treatment of glaucoma. Ophthalmology. 2024;131(1):37-47. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.07.029.
8. European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma, 5th Edition. Br J Ophthalmol. 2021;105(Suppl 1):1-169. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-egsguidelines.
9. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Glaucoma: Diagnosis and Management. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2022.
10. Alcon Data on File, 2024.