EYEMATE SC - Implanted microsensor measures intraocular pressure in glaucoma by app

Prof. Peter Szurman, chief physician at the Sulzbach Eye Clinic, was the first in the world to successfully implant the EYEMATE SC intraocular pressure sensor from Implandata between the choroid and the sclera of the eye. The micro-sensor automatically monitors the intraocular pressure, which significantly improves the care of patients with glaucoma and reduces the risk of blindness. The method is being tested in an international study under the direction of the Sulzbach Eye Clinic.
Good control of intraocular pressure is a major challenge for glaucoma patients and their ophthalmologists. Current measurement methods, which have to be carried out by medical staff in the practice or clinic, only provide very few measured values, which are not representative of the actual pressure curve of the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. In the normal course of the day, as well as between visits to the doctor, there are known dangerously increased intraocular pressure values and considerable pressure fluctuations which are not detected by standard measuring methods. Such abnormal pressure situations are a sign of inadequate pressure-lowering therapy and can lead to irreversible damage to the optic nerve and ultimately to blindness.
In contrast to the few punctual measured values obtained by today's measuring methods, the EYEMATE system provides complete pressure monitoring, which allows dangerous pressure peaks and strong pressure fluctuations to be detected at an early stage and avoided by individualized therapy. The fact that the patient can monitor himself with the new microsensor also increases his compliance with the therapy. The patient himself now recognizes that "forgetting" the medication results in an immediate dangerous increase in pressure. Another advantage of the EYEMATE system is that the patient's measured values are sent directly to the ophthalmologist via a secure web-based data infrastructure (App). Thus, the ophthalmologist is always informed about the course of the disease without having to ask the patient into his practice. Concerningly high intraocular pressures can be detected efficiently and in time and can be counteracted at an early stage by adequate therapeutic measures.
"The implant is pleasingly small and easy to implant, so that most patients undergoing glaucoma surgery are eligible for this intraocular pressure sensor. For the first time, patients can measure intraocular pressure themselves and in their normal environment without having to go to their doctor's office. This precise information on intraocular pressure enables us to treat glaucoma patients in a more targeted and successful manner. The risk of vision loss or even blindness due to glaucoma can thus be considerably reduced," explains Prof. Szurman.
About glaucoma
Glaucoma is a chronic, usually age-related, eye disease in which increased asymptomatic intraocular pressure can lead to irreversible damage of the optic nerve, resulting in loss of vision and, in the worst case, blindness. The only way to prevent vision loss is to reduce intraocular pressure in a controlled manner. Worldwide, 80 million patients are affected by this disease. In Germany alone, one million people are diagnosed with glaucoma, while the number of unreported cases is one million more patients in whom the disease has not yet been diagnosed due to an early stage.
Sulzbach Eye Clinic, Knappschaftsklinikum Saar:
The Sulzbach Eye Clinic has developed into one of the largest eye clinics in Germany with 22,000 operations per year in seven new, state-of-the-art operating theatres and is recognised far beyond Germany's borders. Every year, 34 specialised doctors and a dedicated nursing team treat over 45,000 outpatients and 6,000 inpatients. Among the medical coworkers are numerous renowned experts, who are active in 16 specialized consultations.
Since 2015, the clinic has been the largest centre for retinal/ vitreous surgery (2,000 vitrectomies) in Germany. With currently 10,000 treatments per year, the Makulazentrum Saar is one of the largest national treatment centres for AMD. With 1,000 glaucoma surgical procedures per year, the Eye Clinic also occupies a leading position in the treatment of glaucoma. The Eye Clinic maintains several research groups in its own clean room laboratory, development partnerships with renowned medical technology companies, a research cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), Sulzbach, a specialised tissue bank for corneal transplants and a clinical study centre.