FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 21, 2012) – With a focus on the patient’s safety and comfort, Drs. Alexander M. Eaton and Hussein Wafapoor of Retina Health Center have collaborated with other researchers to invent a new device, the first of its kind in the world, designed to improve the safety and comfort of patients during the administration of eye injections. Clinical trials of the investigational device are to begin at the Retina Health Center within the next few days. An estimated 2 to 3 million people receive eye injections every year.
“For patients suffering from macular degeneration, regular eye injections every few weeks to save their sight are a reality,” said Eaton. “And given the increase in the number of medications and treatable conditions, the number of patients receiving injections continues to grow. With the development of this new device, we are hopeful we can improve the way injections are done in the near future.”
The device incorporates a small gauge needle that is covered by a thin protective sleeve which is designed to protect the needle from contamination risks before and during the injection such as aerosolized saliva droplets from speech or breathing, as well as from the eyelids or other external contaminants.
Eaton and Wafapoor are co-developing the device with Dr. Robert Avery of California Retina Consultants, and former Alcon employees Dave Booth and Dyson Hickingbotham.
Eaton will present on the team’s development of the device at the America Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting in Las Vegas Aug. 25-29, and at the Euretina conference on Sept. 7 in Milan, Italy.
Retina Health Center and the Macular Degeneration Research Center were established in 2002 by Dr. Alexander M. Eaton, a long-time Southwest Florida resident who has been practicing ophthalmology in Lee and Collier counties for more than 17 years. Dr. Eaton has been the principal investigator for numerous studies to prevent and treat macular degeneration. For more information on the latest studies or to make an appointment, call 239-337-3337 in Fort Myers or 239-793-5200 in Naples, or visit www.retinahealthcenter.com.
Media Contacts:
Alexander M. Eaton, M.D., Retina Health Center, 239-337-3337
Teri Hansen, Priority Marketing, teri@prioritymarketing.com, 239-267-2638/239-849-3300 (cell)
Holly Boldrin, Priority Marketing, holly@prioritymarketing.com or 239-267-2638
