Key Highlights

  • Aetna updated its Glaucoma Surgery Policy to recognize Sight Sciences' OMNI Surgical System and SION Surgical Instrument as medically necessary for mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma when specified clinical criteria are met.
  • The coverage policy applies to ab interno canaloplasty procedures enabled by OMNI and adult goniotomy procedures enabled by SION, and is retroactive to July 14, 2026.
  • Aetna is one of the largest health insurers in the United States, with approximately 25 million total commercial covered lives now covered under the updated policy.
  • The company said the coverage milestone establishes broad payer access for canaloplasty and goniotomy procedures across all major national payers.

Aetna Recognizes OMNI and SION as Medically Necessary

Sight Sciences (NASDAQ:SGHT) announced that Aetna's updated Glaucoma Surgery Policy for its commercial plans now recognizes the OMNI Surgical System and the SION Surgical Instrument as medically necessary for the treatment of mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma when specified clinical criteria are met. Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Badawi said Aetna's clinical review resulted in expanded coverage for implant-free, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedures, reinforcing the role these technologies can play in the broader glaucoma treatment paradigm. Aetna's policy specifically recognizes ab interno canaloplasty procedures, such as those performed with OMNI, and adult goniotomy procedures, such as those performed with SION, as medically necessary for qualifying patients.

Coverage Extends to Approximately 25 Million Commercial Lives

The updated coverage policy is retroactive to July 14, 2026, and applies to Aetna's approximately 25 million total commercial covered lives, positioning Aetna among the largest health insurers in the United States to formally recognize these procedures as medically necessary. Badawi said the coverage milestone establishes broad payer access for canaloplasty and goniotomy procedures enabled by the OMNI Surgical System and SION Surgical Instrument across all major national payers, building on prior coverage decisions from other health plans. The company credited its surgeon customers, key opinion leaders, state and national medical societies, and Aetna's medical directors for supporting the review process that led to the expanded coverage determination.

Coverage Milestone Builds on Broader Payer Access Efforts

The Aetna coverage decision adds to a pattern of expanding payer recognition for Sight Sciences' implant-free MIGS technologies, following a similar coverage expansion from UnitedHealthcare in 2025 that extended access to the OMNI Surgical System for its members. With Aetna's policy update, the company said broad payer access has now been established across all major national payers for canaloplasty and goniotomy procedures using its technologies. Continued alignment across national and regional payers may support further adoption of these procedures among surgeons and patients navigating glaucoma treatment options.

Conclusion

Aetna's decision to recognize OMNI and SION as medically necessary for mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma represents a meaningful expansion of payer access for Sight Sciences' interventional glaucoma technologies, extending coverage to millions of additional commercial plan members. The retroactive nature of the policy, combined with the company's characterization of now having broad access across all major national payers, may support continued growth in procedure volumes using these systems. How quickly this expanded coverage translates into increased surgeon and patient adoption may become clearer in the company's coming quarterly results.