BUSINESS WIRE
MIAMI, Jan 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- OPKO Health, Inc. (AMEX:OPK) announced today that it has begun treating
patients in a clinical trial of its Aquashunt(TM), a device for the
treatment of refractory open angle glaucoma. The study, at two academic
departments of ophthalmology, is designed to assess the safety and
efficacy of the Aquashunt(TM) and will enroll up to 20 patients with
significantly impaired visual acuity.
The Aquashunt(TM) is a novel device designed to lower intraocular pressure
by allowing excess fluid in the eye to exit more naturally than occurs
with presently available devices.
"We are pleased by the simplicity of the surgical procedure for the
device and by the early results in the first human trials," commented
Bruce Shields, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology at Yale University and
designer of the Aquashunt(TM). "These early results provide further
validation of our optimism for the future of the Aquashunt(TM), and we look
forward to completing our clinical trials and bringing this product to
market."
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when fluid accumulating in the eye raises the
intraocular pressure and causes the optic nerve to degenerate,
potentially leading to irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma is increasing
in prevalence as the population ages, currently affecting an estimated
2.4 million people in the U.S. and about 60 million people worldwide.
It is the leading cause of bilateral, irreversible blindness.
About OPKO Health, Inc.
Miami-based OPKO is a specialty healthcare company engaged in the
development, marketing, and sales of novel agents and both diagnostic
and therapeutic devices for the management of ophthalmic diseases. For
more information visit the company's website at www.opko.com.