Sight Sciences Introduces OMNI Ultra Surgical System at AAO 2026

Sight Sciences announced on October 1, 2026 that it would debut its OMNI Ultra Surgical System, the latest version of its implant-free minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) platform, at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, and announced its commercial availability on October 6. The system combines ab interno canaloplasty and trabeculotomy in a single pass with automated viscodilation. The launch concerns surgical workflow, and comparative outcome data have yet to be reported.

How OMNI Ultra Works

• Procedures: full-circumference ab interno canaloplasty with trabeculotomy in a single-pass system
• Key feature: automated viscodilation during advancement and retraction, intended to make the procedure more consistent for surgeons
• Target: resistance within the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway
• Implant: none; no permanent drainage implant is left in the eye
• Platform: builds on the company’s established OMNI surgical system

The procedures act on the eye’s natural drainage system to improve aqueous outflow and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP).

Role in Glaucoma Management

Glaucoma management has moved beyond the traditional sequence of topical medications followed by more invasive surgery, and MIGS offers additional options for selected patients. Canal-based procedures may be performed with cataract surgery or in other appropriate settings, depending on device indications and the patient’s condition. A tissue-based approach appeals to surgeons who prefer to avoid an implant, particularly when operating alongside cataract surgery.

Effectiveness depends on the type and severity of glaucoma, the target pressure and the health of downstream collector channels. An angle procedure may be insufficient for a patient who needs a very low postoperative pressure.

Clinical Evidence to Watch

Long-term IOP control and postoperative medication requirements remain the main measures of clinical success. The engineering changes may shorten steps or improve handling, and the availability of a new system does not by itself imply superior outcomes compared with existing MIGS approaches. Better pressure reduction, fewer medications or lower complication rates than the preceding OMNI system or other canal-based procedures remain to be established. Useful data would include:

• Efficacy: achieved IOP and medication burden at one and two years
• Reporting: baseline pressure, washout methods, combined cataract surgery and rescue procedures
• Safety: hyphema, pressure spikes and subsequent surgery
• Analysis: stand-alone procedures reported separately from combined operations, to identify the device’s own contribution

Surgeons will weigh this evidence alongside patient characteristics, glaucoma severity and procedural risk. Practices will also consider whether the workflow gain justifies acquisition cost and training. The launch adds to the growing role of interventional glaucoma treatment and implant-free surgical technology.

Conclusion

OMNI Ultra’s design could improve surgical workflow and make an established procedure easier to perform, which has value in itself. Its place in glaucoma care will depend on independent or well-controlled studies showing reproducible pressure, medication and safety outcomes.

Source: Sight Sciences, Sight Sciences to Debut the OMNI Ultra Surgical System at the 2026 AAO Annual Meeting, 1 October 2026. https://www.sightsciences.com/us/sight-sciences-to-debut-the-omni-ultra-surgical-system-the-latest-technology-advancement-from-the-pioneers-of-ab-interno-canaloplasty-at-the-2026-american-academy-of-ophthalmology-aao-annual/

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Source: ophthalmologybreakingnews.com
Author: OBN Editorial Team | Date: 2026-10-01 09:00:00