AGS Meeting Features Technology Updates, Voyager DSLT Launch

The 40th Annual American Glaucoma Society (AGS) meeting was highlighted by fast-paced sessions for providers, updates on the latest surgical technology, and the launch of Alcon’s Voyager DSLT.

The meeting, held Feb. 26 to March 2 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, drew 1,600 US and international ophthalmologists, glaucoma fellows, medical students, residents, and exhibitors, with industry professionals representing 42 companies.

The AGS has just over 1,100 active and provisional members. A special Glaucoma Innovation Summit fundraiser to benefit the AGS Foundation was held on Friday evening, generating more than $80 thousand.

Several companies presented updates on their latest technologies. Materials science company Gore is developing the Glaucoma Drainage Implant (GDI), a next-generation device that is only 0.2 mm thick—compared with other silicone tube shunts that are 2.0 mm thick.

The GDI has a biocompatible ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) reservoir, resulting in better tissue integration and reducing the potential for fibrosis. Gore said early results show a 35 percent reduction in IOP and a 95 percent reduction in medication use, without the need for mitomycin C to prevent fibrosis.

Thursday was dedicated to surgery, with multiple fast-paced sections covering topics such as “Tips for Optimizing Tube Shunts,” “What’s Next in the Supraciliary Space and Interventional Drug Delivery,” and “Top Tips and Techniques for Maximizing Bleb Morphology.”

During the supraciliary space and interventional drug delivery section, Jason Bacharach, MD, presented the latest clinical trial data from SpyGlass’ IOL-mounted, drug-eluting pads, demonstrating that all patients:

—Had IOP less than or equal to 18 mmHG.

—Were off topical IOP-lowering therapy.

—Had visual acuity of 20/30 or better.

The pads are not visible unless the eye is dilated, and the monofocal IOL is similar in chemistry to other hydrophobic acrylic IOLs available today. The pads are quickly assembled prior to loading into an off-the-shelf injector, delivered through a 2.4 mm incision. SpyGlass plans to offer toric and EDOF options in the future.

Other products presented included the Miniject (iStar), AlloFlo (Iantrek), Intercil Uveal Spacer (Ciliatech), and the iDose TR (Glaukos).

Arsham Sheybani, MD, of Washington University in St. Louis, presented early clinical outcomes of the Calibreye, a 10 mm titratable glaucoma drainage device from Myra Vision that provides four different valve settings to customize patient outflow requirements. A green laser is used in-office to postoperatively achieve the adjustment.

At three months follow-up, 88 percent of patients were medication free; 91 percent saw a 20 percent or greater reduction in IOP from baseline; and 0 percent required any bleb needling procedures.

Voyager Launch

Alcon was front and center in the exhibit hall with the Voyager DSLT, which the company officially launched at the meeting.

The laser gained CE marking in May 2022 and US FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2023. The Voyager is a Q-switched, 532 nm-wavelength, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, intended for use in performing DSLT, a new automated, noncontact, one-second trabeculoplasty procedure.

Since acquiring the platform from Belkin Vision in July 2024, Alcon completely reskinned the device and updated the software interface to align with the company’s other platforms, ensuring consistency of brand and surgeon experience.

Alcon representatives were showcasing the laser’s speed, its 360-degree direct selective laser trabeculoplasty treatment, and eye tracking, without the need for a gonio lens.

Workforce Concerns

Kelly Muir, MD, of Duke Eye Center, addressed concerns surrounding the demands of the ophthalmology workforce and, in particular, the surgical needs of glaucoma specialists.

Muir referred to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, which indicated that the total ophthalmology workforce will decrease by 12 percent over the next 10 years, while total demand for full-time ophthalmologists will increase 24 percent. Glaucoma fellowship matching is holding strong, with 89 positions filled in 2024, up from 77 in 2019.

Muir did concede that the average number of trabeculectomies being performed by each fellow as the primary surgeon is less than it was 10 or 12 years ago, but she emphasized that it is still actively being taught.

She wrapped up her talk by advocating for fair compensation for glaucoma specialists’ work and exposing students to the Young Glaucoma Specialists (YOGS) Society through the AGS. 

Next meeting

The 2026 AGS Meeting will be Feb. 19-22, 2026, at the Omni Rancho las Palmas in Palm Springs, California.