Buffalo eye surgeon among first 20 in U.S. to use newest OMNI glaucoma system

Michael J. Endl, M.D., of Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare, used the newest OMNI Surgical System in late September, giving Buffalo-area patients early access to a new implant-free glaucoma procedure. The update matters because glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss, and the new system is designed to treat the eye’s drainage pathways more efficiently.

Why it matters: - Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and often advances without noticeable symptoms. - The disease is commonly driven by elevated pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve over time. - The newest OMNI Surgical System gives Western New York patients access to a minimally invasive, implant-free glaucoma option. - The procedure may reduce reliance on daily glaucoma eye drops for some patients.

What happened: - Michael J. Endl, M.D., of Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare, is among the first 20 surgeons in the United States to use the newest version of the OMNI Surgical System. - Dr. Endl performed the procedure during the week of Sept. 28. - The surgery gave Buffalo-area patients early access to one of the newest minimally invasive glaucoma surgery technologies.

The details: - OMNI does not place a stent or implant in the eye. - The system restores the eye’s natural drainage pathways instead. - OMNI treats all three areas where fluid can become blocked: the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm’s canal and the collector channels. - The newest version of OMNI is the first FDA-cleared MIGS device that can perform a full canaloplasty in a single pass. - Canaloplasty opens and expands the eye’s drainage canal. - Completing canaloplasty in one pass is designed to give surgeons greater efficiency and control. - The OMNI platform has been used in more than 350,000 procedures worldwide. - OMNI can be performed alone or at the same time as cataract surgery. - Dr. Endl has performed more than 40,000 cataract and refractive procedures. - Dr. Endl has also been involved in multiple FDA trials.

Between the lines: - The release positions OMNI as a next-step option for patients who need more than drops but want to avoid an implant-based procedure. - The early surgeon rollout suggests the company is targeting high-volume glaucoma practices to speed adoption. - Dr. Endl’s experience with cataract and refractive surgery and FDA trials adds credibility to the practice’s launch of the new system.

What’s next: - Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare says its glaucoma specialists will evaluate each patient to determine whether OMNI is the right treatment. - Patients can request an appointment online or call 1-800-309-2020 to learn whether they are candidates. - The practice is expected to continue offering the new system to appropriate glaucoma patients in Western New York.

The bottom line: - The Buffalo practice is now among the earliest U.S. adopters of a newer, implant-free glaucoma system aimed at lowering eye pressure more efficiently.