MENLO PARK, Calif.—Sight Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGHT), an eyecare technology company focused on creating innovative solutions intended to transform standards of care and improve patients’ lives, has announced the launch of its “Don’t Wait for Too Late” educational campaign designed to raise awareness among the optometric community of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as an earlier surgical intervention for glaucoma. Glaucoma, known as the silent thief of sight, is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. Vision loss from glaucoma cannot be recovered, so early intervention is critical to preserving sight. Traditionally, early intervention in glaucoma has been limited primarily to prescription eye drops, with surgery reserved for more severe cases. However, prescription medications are only effective if they are taken as prescribed, and compliance can be a major issue.
 
Today, advances in glaucoma management with MIGS are presenting new opportunities for early surgical intervention in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. Patients who receive MIGS earlier in their disease management may benefit from less reliance on adherence to prescription eye drops, slowed progression of disease, improved management of intraocular pressure (IOP), and most importantly, sight preservation.
 
“As optometrists, we are really in a unique position when it comes to glaucoma management, particularly when it comes to earlier surgical intervention, because we are often the gatekeepers for our patients,” said Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO, Vance Thompson Vision.
 
“Early intervention in glaucoma is critical to managing IOP and preserving vision, and this intervention starts on the frontlines with optometrists. It is essential that we are empowered with the information necessary to make the best recommendations for our patients. The ‘Don’t Wait for Too Late’ campaign will play an important role in educating the optometric community on the safety, efficacy and benefits of MIGS as an earlier surgical treatment option, an important step to expanding patient access and ensuring appropriate and timely referrals to our ophthalmology partners.”
 
While MIGS first entered the market as an implant-based procedure performed only at the time of cataract surgery, the OMNI Surgical System, an implant-free MIGS, is now cleared by the FDA more broadly for use not only in combination with cataract surgery but also as a standalone procedure to lower IOP in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most prevalent form of glaucoma.
 
Cleared for IOP lowering in POAG across the spectrum of disease severity and irrespective of lens status, the OMNI Surgical System expands the reach and impact of MIGS as an earlier surgical treatment option for adult patients with mild to moderate POAG. This is a particularly meaningful advancement for patients who have already had cataract surgery but could still benefit from a MIGS procedure to manage their glaucoma and lower their IOP. Approximately 85 percent of adult patients with POAG could benefit from a standalone MIGS procedure.
 
“At Sight Sciences, we believe everyone deserves the chance to protect their vision from glaucoma before it’s too late, and the optometric community is a vital partner to achieving that goal,” said Paul Badawi, co-founder and CEO, Sight Sciences.
 
“In 2020, POAG affected over 60 million people worldwide and 4.1 million people in the U.S. We believe MIGS has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for these patients across the spectrum of disease severity both in combination with cataract surgery and as a standalone procedure. We are proud to spearhead this important educational campaign and look forward to partnering with the optometric community to expand the reach and impact of MIGS in 2022 and beyond.”