Ellex Medical Lasers, a provider in the design and manufacture of ophthalmic laser and ultrasound systems, has presented positive clinical results for its laser Retina Regeneration Therapy (Ellex 2RT) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), two conditions that usually result in irreversible blindness for sufferers.
Ellex 2RT treatment involves a laser device designed and manufactured by Ellex which delivers a controlled nanosecond dose of laser energy into the eye.
The company said that the clinical trials of Ellex 2RT demonstrate the potential to reverse the degenerative processes caused by the disease AMD through the reduction of yellow deposits known as ‘drusen’, present in the retinal tissue of people suffering from AMD.
Ellex 2RT offers the potential to treat AMD in its early stages, before vision is lost. Until now treatment has been restricted to targeting late-stage complications associated with the wet form of AMD, which only accounts for 10-15% of all people who suffer from AMD2.
In addition to AMD, clinical trials of Ellex 2RT have shown that it is 500 times more laser energy efficient than prevailing methods in the treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. Ellex 2RT produces no thermal damage to the retina, and can successfully treat affected areas near the fovea not possible with conventional treatment, said the company.
Simon Luscombe, CEO of Ellex Medical Lasers, said: “This is a significant global technology that has the potential to reduce the onset of blindness with a gentle, non-invasive laser treatment. Starting treatment for AMD earlier can potentially halt disease progression, saving functional vision before irreversible damage occurs. The results provide a major step towards bringing this technology to market.
“Ellex is working on finalising the clinical trials and regulatory approvals for the Ellex 2RT product that will revolutionise the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.”