Iridex Announces the Publication of Two-Year Independent Study Supporting Benefits of MicroPulse® Technology for Early to Advanced Glaucoma

The retrospective study reported sustained pressure reductions and lower medication use over 24 months.

Rhea-AI Summary

Iridex (IRIX) announced publication of a two-year study evaluating MicroPulse laser therapy in patients with early, moderate and advanced glaucoma. The retrospective study, published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology, evaluated 84 eyes of 53 patients with primary open-angle or primary angle-closure glaucoma.

At 24 months, mean intraocular pressure decreased from 22.32 to 14.05 mmHg, and mean topical pressure-lowering medication use fell from 2.96 to 2.38. Treatment success rates were 86% for open-angle glaucoma and 81% for angle-closure glaucoma. No complications or reductions in visual acuity were reported, and visual field measurements remained stable. All patients previously taking oral acetazolamide discontinued it, with none restarting during follow-up.

Positive

• Minor pointMean intraocular pressure fell from 22.32 to 14.05 mmHg, with reductions sustained over two years.
• Minor pointMean topical pressure-lowering medication use decreased from 2.96 to 2.38 at 24 months.
• Minor pointTreatment success at 24 months reached 86% in open-angle and 81% in angle-closure glaucoma eyes.
• Minor pointNo complications or reductions in visual acuity were reported during follow-up.
• Minor pointOral acetazolamide was discontinued by all patients previously receiving it, with none restarting over two years.
• Minor pointVisual field measurements remained stable during follow-up in both glaucoma groups.

Negative

• Minor pointEvidence came from a retrospective study of 84 eyes in 53 patients.
• Minor pointStudy eligibility excluded patients with prior incisional glaucoma surgery.

Key Figures

Study population: 84 eyes; 53 patients Follow-up duration: 24 months Mean intraocular pressure: 22.32 mmHg at baseline to 14.05 mmHg +3 more

Study population

84 eyes; 53 patients

Retrospective study

Follow-up duration

24 months

Clinical study

Mean intraocular pressure

22.32 mmHg at baseline to 14.05 mmHg

Reduction sustained throughout follow-up

Mean topical IOP-lowering medications

2.96 at baseline to 2.38

At 24 months

Treatment success

86% in POAG eyes; 81% in PACG eyes

At 24 months

Reported complications or visual acuity reductions

None reported

During follow-up

Key Terms

transscleral laser therapy, intraocular pressure, primary open-angle glaucoma, primary angle-closure glaucoma, +1 more

5 terms

transscleral laser therapy medical

"demonstrating favorable outcomes with transscleral laser therapy (TLT)"

A procedure that delivers laser energy through the white outer layer of the eye (the sclera) to treat structures inside the eye without opening it. The beam is aimed to heat or ablate target tissues—commonly the ciliary body to reduce fluid production in glaucoma or localized ocular lesions—using external application, often with specialized probes or transscleral optics. Because the laser must penetrate tissue from outside, the approach is less invasive than intraocular surgery but offers less direct visualization and precision than treatments delivered inside the eye, and may require repeat sessions.

intraocular pressure medical

"Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased significantly"

Intraocular pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eye, similar to the air pressure in a tire or the tension in a water balloon that helps the eye keep its shape. It matters to investors because sustained high pressure can lead to glaucoma and vision loss, driving demand for drugs, surgical devices, diagnostics and related regulatory approvals and reimbursements, which directly affect company revenues and risk profiles.

primary open-angle glaucoma medical

"patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)"

A common, chronic eye disease where fluid drains slowly from the front of the eye, gradually increasing internal eye pressure and damaging the optic nerve; the drainage angle remains open when viewed with special instruments, distinguishing it from other glaucoma types. It matters to investors because its prevalence and slow, progressive course drive demand for long-term treatments, diagnostics, devices, and clinical trials, affecting potential market size and regulatory milestones.

primary angle-closure glaucoma medical

"or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG)"

A form of glaucoma in which the drainage angle between the iris and the cornea becomes blocked or abnormally narrow, preventing normal outflow of aqueous fluid and causing a rise in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve. It can present as an acute emergency with sudden eye pain, redness, blurred vision, headache, nausea and a mid-dilated pupil, or as a chronic, more slowly progressive narrowing; the defining feature is mechanical obstruction of the angle rather than the more common open-angle mechanism.

selective laser trabeculoplasty medical

"undergone selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)"

A laser eye procedure that lowers intraocular pressure by using short, low-energy laser pulses aimed at the trabecular meshwork (the eye’s drainage tissue) to improve outflow of aqueous fluid. It treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension by selectively targeting pigmented cells in the drainage angle to stimulate biological changes with less thermal damage than older argon-laser techniques; its pressure-lowering effect can vary between patients and may diminish over time, so additional treatment or other therapies can be needed.

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Study reports sustained IOP reduction and reduced medication burden over 24 months

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridex Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX), a worldwide leader in innovative laser-based medical systems, delivery devices, and accessories for the treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases, today announced the publication of a two-year clinical study demonstrating favorable outcomes with transscleral laser therapy (TLT) using MicroPulse^® Technology (referred to as MicroPulse TLT) in patients with early, moderate, and advanced primary glaucoma.

“These two-year results are particularly meaningful because they show sustained IOP reduction and reduced medication burden in patients with early-stage glaucoma, as well as in those with moderate and advanced disease,” said Michele Lanza, MD, lead author of the study. “The findings suggest that MicroPulse TLT may have a role earlier in the glaucoma treatment continuum than has traditionally been considered.”

Published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology, the retrospective study evaluated 84 eyes of 53 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Led by Dr. Lanza of the Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples, Italy, the study used the Iridex Cyclo G6^® Laser with the original MicroPulse^® P3 Delivery Device. Patients with prior incisional glaucoma surgery were excluded, while those who had undergone selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) more than three years earlier remained eligible for inclusion.

“We are encouraged by the sustained outcomes reported in this study and the growing body of clinical evidence supporting MicroPulse TLT,” said Patrick Mercer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Iridex. “These findings further reinforce our commitment to advancing laser-based treatment options for patients with glaucoma.”

Key Findings at 24 Months

• Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased significantly from 22.32 mmHg at baseline to 14.05 mmHg, with reductions sustained throughout the two-year follow-up
• Mean number of topical IOP-lowering medications decreased from 2.96 at baseline to 2.38
• Treatment success rates were 86% in POAG eyes and 81% in PACG eyes
• No complications or reductions in visual acuity were reported during follow-up
  
  

Additional findings included the discontinuation of oral acetazolamide among all patients receiving the medication before MicroPulse TLT, with none requiring reinitiation during the two-year follow-up period. Further, visual field measurements remained stable during follow-up in both the POAG and PACG groups.

About the Study

Lanza M, Fattore I, Ambrosio S, Abbate F, Boccia R, Serra L, Cangiano T, Simonelli F. Safety and efficacy of micropulse transscleral laser therapy for glaucoma: a two-year follow-up. International Journal of Ophthalmology. 2026;19(9):1731-1738. doi:10.18240/ijo.2026.09.08.

About Iridex Corporation

Iridex Corporation is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems, which include capital equipment and consumable probes for the ophthalmology market. The Company’s proprietary MicroPulse^® technology delivers the therapeutic benefits of laser treatment while minimizing tissue damage, offering a safe, effective, and proven treatment for targeted sight-threatening eye conditions. Iridex’s current product line is used for the treatment of glaucoma and diabetic macular edema (DME) and other retinal diseases. Iridex products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally primarily through a network of independent distributors into more than 100 countries.

For additional information, visit www.iridex.com.

Investor Relations Contact
Philip Taylor
Gilmartin Group
investors@iridex.com

Media Contact
Joan Stauffer
jstauffer@iridex.com

Iridex, the Iridex logo, MicroPulse, the MicroPulse logo, Cyclo G6, and MicroPulse P3 are registered trademarks of Iridex.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Iridex's two-year MicroPulse glaucoma study show?

At 24 months, mean intraocular pressure fell from 22.32 to 14.05 mmHg, while mean topical pressure-lowering medication use decreased from 2.96 to 2.38. Treatment success rates were 86% in primary open-angle glaucoma eyes and 81% in primary angle-closure glaucoma eyes.

Were patients with previous glaucoma procedures included in the Iridex MicroPulse study?

Patients with prior incisional glaucoma surgery were excluded, but patients who had undergone selective laser trabeculoplasty more than three years earlier remained eligible for inclusion.