Latest News and Publications
Changing how glaucoma is treated: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued new guidelines for the treatment of thousands of patients with glaucoma in England following a major study at Moorfields. It is now recommending the use of SLT (selective laser trabeculoplasty) as a first line treatment option to lower internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure), instead of eye drops. Previously, SLT was advised as a second choice, and was only considered if there was issue with taking eye drops.
The change was made in large part due to the findings of the Laser in Glacuoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) Study, led by Gus Gazzard, ophthalmology consultant at Moorfields and professor of Glaucoma Studies at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Glaucoma is usually caused by fluid building up in the eye that increases pressure. SLT is a quick procedure which uses lasers to make it easier for fluid to leave the eye, and has now been found to be safe and effective as a first line treatment. It provides superior eye pressure stability to using drops and allows 74% of patients to manage their condition without drops for at least three years after treatment.
Gus Gazzard said: “It’s unusual for a trial such as the LiGHT Study to have such a profound impact, and fantastic that NICE have considered our results to be so robust that they have relied on them for a major shift in guidelines. It’s an excellent example of how bench-to-bedside research can make a real difference to patients’ lives.”
The LiGHT study was funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital with help from Moorfields Eye Charity.
Is There a Better Way to Treat Glaucoma? article in Review of Optometry with Professor Gazzard
An upcoming study will investigate low-dose SLT treatment performed annually, regardless of IOP. Article in Review of Optometry featuring Professor Gazzard’s work and research.
Getting Started with Primary SLT: guidance in the Review of Ophthalmology featuring Professor Gazzard
Primary selective laser trabeculoplasty is growing in popularity around the world. If you’re thinking about offering this treatment, here’s guidance. Article in Review of Ophthalmology featuring interviews with Professor Gazzard about his work and research. You can download a digital copy of the whole issue here.
How good of a shock absorber is the eye? Hear the experts talk about Corneal Hysteresis; the glaucoma vital sign that you may be missing (panel discussion including Professor Gazzard)
Let There Be (Laser) Light article in the Ophthalmologist cites Gazzard’s work as the European Glaucoma Society Guidelines Committee changes recommendations for the initial treatment of open angle glaucoma
Promoting an evidence-based approach, the European Glaucoma Society Guidelines Committee has changed recommendations for the initial open angle glaucoma treatment. You can read the full article in The Ophthalmologist here.
UK and Éire Glaucoma Society announces new president Professor Pete Shah and president elect Professor Gus Gazzard
UK and Éire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS) has announced University Hospitals Birmingham consultant ophthalmic surgeon Professor Pete Shah as its new president. Professor Gus Gazzard, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and Director of Glaucoma Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital, was announced as president elect at the same time. He will work with Professor Shah, before taking up his role as UKEGS president at the end of 2021. You can read the full UKEGS article about this in Optometry Today here.
Low-Energy Laser Treatment Study Supported by National Eye Institute
The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, recently awarded the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University $15.2 million to study how a treatment called selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) can be better used to treat glaucoma. Professor Gus Gazzard will be collaborating on this project. You can read more here about the Low-Energy Laser Treatment Study
European Glaucoma Society Congress Highlights, March 2020
Highlights of key perspectives in the diagnosis, treatment and future developments in glaucoma at EGS 2020 was a highlights report produced and funded by Allergan and Includes the views/opinions from Professors Gus Gazzard and Anthony King. You can read the highlights report here (PDF).
Pushing Boundaries with Advanced Technologies: article in The Ophthalmologist featuring Professor Gus Gazzard
Improving patient outcomes is the core objective of clinicians working in all subspecialties of ophthalmology. And there’s a good reason why the field is often at the forefront of innovation – technological and medical progress often go hand in hand. Here, we explore how advanced technologies are shaping the present – and future – of ophthalmology. You can read the full article in The Ophthalmologist here
Saga Magazine publishes interview with Professor Gazzard in latest issue
Saga magazine has published a feature article called “A New Hope in Sight” that focusses on glaucoma and Professor Gazzard’s ground breaking SLT treatments for the condition. You can download a PDF copy of the full article here.
Professor Gazzard listed In the Top 100 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World
Gus has been added to the The Power List 2020 published by The Ophthalmologist as one of the most influential people in the world in his speciality. You can read the full article here
BBC Radio 4 ‘In Touch’ interviews Professor Gazzard
BBC Radio 4 Presenter Peter White spoke with Professor Gazzard about innovations in the treatment of glaucoma. First aired on 22.09.2020, the programme is available on demand, where you can also download a full transcript.
You can listen to the interview or download a transcript here
Glaucoma Today: Light on the Horizon
Evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of two less invasive glaucoma treatment options, selective laser trabeculoplasty and a microstent.
Podcast interview: ‘As Seen From Here’
Professor Gazzard was interviewed by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery on the Ophthamalogy podcast on the efficacy of repeat SLT.
Glaucoma experts give perspectives on LiGHT trial: SLT vs. drops
Ocular Surgery News spoke with seven glaucoma surgery experts who shared their opinions on the study, its results and their opinions on what first-line treatments should be used for open-angle glaucoma.
LiGHT: Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness – Eyetube
Sarwat Salim, MD, FACS, sits down with Gus Gazzard, MD, FRCOphth, to discuss the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) trial. Dr. Gazzard details the study design, efficacy data, and cost effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty versus medication.
Ophthamalogy Times Europe: ‘LIGHT Trial focuses on lowering IOP, keeping it there’
Professor Gazzard’s work is covered in this piece from November 2019 published in the Ophthamalogy Times Europe magazine.
Video interview for World Glaucoma Week
Professor Gazzard reflects on his pioneering glaucoma research in this video shot at World Glaucoma Week
NIHR: Professor Gus Gazzard publishes ground-breaking research
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dissemination Centre has published an NIHR Signal on Professor Gazzard’s research.
The Lancet: Laser trabeculoplasty as first-line glaucoma treatment
The prestigious medical journal The Lancet published results from a pioneering research study, funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and led by Professor Gus Gazzard.
The Daily Mail: Patient Experience with Glaucoma Diagnosis
An article from the Daily Mail about glaucoma surgery that quotes Professor Gazzard.
The Daily Mail: “A laser could end the inconvenience of eye drops for glaucoma”
Guy Staniforth, 62, a project engineer from Greenwich in South-East London, describes having a glaucoma operation with Professor Gazzard.
Positive effects of Hydrus plus phaco persist
PARIS — The HORIZON trial at 3 years demonstrated that the Hydrus Schlemm’s canal stent added sustained IOP lowering to that achieved by cataract surgery alone, Gus Gazzard, MD, MBBChir, FRCOphth, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
“That intraocular pressure was stable, significantly better than control after 3 years,” Gazzard said.
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology: Gus Gazzard appointed Professor of Glaucoma Studies
Speaking of his promotion and clinical trials, Gus said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to a UCL Professorship and I look forward to further developing the clinical trials and excellent postgraduate clinical education that we have established here at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The clinical trials that I work on across the globe are a testament to the great team that I’ve been able to build at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, and a tribute to all of their hard work – the energy they bring to answer questions of real clinical importance to patients with blinding diseases.”
The Ophthalmologist: “Time to Transform Glaucoma Treatment Paradigm”
SLT is an effective intervention for newly-diagnosed patients – and now we can prove it. This is an article about the research conducted by Professor Gazzard.
The Guardian: “15 Minute Laser Treatment Best For Glaucoma Patients”
Lasers should become the principal method in the UK for treating patients with the debilitating eye condition glaucoma. That is the stark conclusion of a three-year study published recently.
NHS NATIONAL SILVER MERIT AWARD WINNER
Gus has been awarded the prestigious, competitively awarded “NHS National Silver Merit Award”. These awards recognise NHS consultants who perform ‘over and above’ the standard expected of their role.
FLIPBOOK by Moorfields Eye Charity Magazine Features Gus
The Moorfields Eye Charity Flipbook magazine has a feature articles on Professor Gazzard’s innovative research.
Professor Gazzard now performs the innovative Hydrus Stent Procedure
Professor Gazzard is now one of only three surgeons performing the innovative Hydrus stent procedure in the UK.
Read more about the Hydrus procedure here or download a PDF about Hydrus here
Professor Gazzard authors ‘Definitive Review of Data’
Professor Gus Gazzard is the author of this definitive review of the data on the main treatment for angle closure glaucoma.
NICE Report on Trabecular Stent Bypass Microsurgery
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) have released a report on Trabecular stent bypass microsurgery for open-angle glaucoma
Video lectures and interviews with Professor Gazzard
We have compiled a series of interviews, lectures and training session videos and podcasts featuring Professor Gazzard that cover his work and research.
Links to Other Articles about Professor Gazzard
- Moorfields International Glaucoma Symposium
- European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology
- Optometry Today | Taking stock of glaucoma implants
- Royal Academy of Ophthamologists ‘focus’ article: Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
- IRIS
- EGS ACG SIG meeting (PDF)
- PubMed
- Interview with one of Professor Gazzard’s patients in the Mail Online
- UK Clinical Research Network paper on the LiGHT SLT Trial Research
- GoodDoctor review
- Moorfields Eye Charity feature
Please contact Professor Gus Gazzard’s offices here for more information or to book an appointment.