Cataract & Refractive

Recent acquisitions, division restructuring, and management changes prove that Carl Zeiss Meditec is very much committed to change. Ophthalmology Times Europe spoke with CEO, Dr Michael Kaschke about the challenges that he faces in an ever evolving market.

Volk Optical has launched the H-R Wide Field Laser Lens, a pan-retinal lens intended for diagnosis and PRP laser treatment.

Dr Rudi Nujits, presented new research on femtosecond laser assisted Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (FS-DSEK) at a session on the femtosecond laser and therapeutic corneal surgery.

Oertli proudly showcased their new product that enables coaxial microincision cataract surgery through 1.6 mm: the CO-MICS 2 tip is fully compatible with the firm's existing OS3, SwissTech and CataRhex platforms.

Haag-Streit has taken the opportunity of the ESCRS meeting to unveil its innovative non-contact optical biometer, the LENSTAR LS900.

Femtosecond lasers provide a safe and effective way to create corneal flaps and tunnels, explained Professor Ionannis Pallikaris.

OcuSense, makers of the innovative TearLab Osmolarity System for the diagnosis of dry eye, announced the signing of multi-year agreements with four distributors in five EU countries, for the exclusive distribution of the TearLab system.

The "One" range of single-use ophthalmic instruments has been introduced by Moria. The range comprises instruments commonly used during cataract surgery; instruments are available individually, or as part of a custom pack.

The search for a presbyopic treatment that is universally effective and universally applicable is viewed in the industry and the profession as the holy grail because of the number of people in the presbyopic age group today.

The age of microkeratomes is coming to an end as femtosecond lasers come of age. That's the chief conclusion drawn by Dr Gunther Grabner, professor of ophthalmology at the Paracelsus University of Salzburg, in a survey on the advantages and limitations of femtosecond lasers.

Refractive outcomes for Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction (FLEx) are getting close to those of eximer-based Femto-LASIK, and patients are expressing high degrees of satisfaction with both techniques, Dr Walter Sekundo told delegates at a session on current trends in laser refractive surgery.

Bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and microaxial phacolemulsification provide optically better incisions but bimanual MICS respects more corneal prolateness than microaxial phaco, Mr Jorge Alio, told delegates. "MICS is associated with less corneal oedema in the short term and less inducation of corneal aberrations in the long term," he said.

In a worldwide first, Dr Luis Ruiz presented the preliminary clinical results of an ongoing pilot study concentrating on the non-invasive intrastromal correction of presbyopia.

Ophthalmology is perhaps two steps closer to a possible clinical application of lens refilling with silicon gel for restoring ocular accommodation thanks to a refined procedure developed by Dr Okihiro Nishi, MD of the Nishi Eye Hospital, Japan.

Bausch & Lomb have been busy this year, using the opportunity presented by the ESCRS congress to make several announcements concerning their cataract and refractive business.

Alcon, Inc has launched the +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) with blue light filter. The lens completed CE mark approval in the third quarter of 2007 and will be available throughout the EU beginning next week.

On August 20th, Tiolat Oy, manufacturer of the iCare Tonometer, underwent a makeover and changed its name to iCare Finland Oy. In a conversation with Ophthalmology Times Europe, newly-appointed CEO Ari Tiukkanen outlined the reasons behind the recent name change, and discussed how the new name fits into the company's plans for the future.

Dr Robert H. Osher, MD, demonstrated a new range of micro scissors and forceps showcased for the first time in Europe by Geuder. The line of modular instruments for small incision surgeries has been designed in collaboration with Dr Osher. The series of seven capsule forceps and five capsule scissors provide access to a variety of meridia inside the eye, with tips angled from straight through 45 to 90 degrees, horizontal and vertical.

Good multifocal IOL (MFIOL) candidates are highly motivated to be spectacle independent and tend to have an easy going and adaptable personality. They have healthy eyes and a low degree of astigmatism. Hyperopic presbyopes tend to make the best candidates.

Monovision offers a safe and an effective option while multifocals are a high risk strategy, Dr Graham D. Barrett controversially told delegates during a session that discussed whether surgeons should introduce multifocal IOLs (MFIOLs) into their practice.

WaveLight today introduced the Allegro BioGraph, a combined Biometer using the OLCR (Optical Low Coherence Reflectometry) measuring principle. For use in cataract and refractive surgery, the device delivers contact-free measurement, supplying data on axial eye dimensions and the complete anterior segment in a single, one-click measurement.

Mixing and matching multifocal IOLs can produce excellent visual acuity across near, intermediate and far distances and can generate a very high degree of patient satisfaction, Dr Scipione Rossi told delegates.

Preop chair time is vital for multifocal patients to correctly evaluate motivation and manage expectations correctly, Dr Jorge Alio told delegates during a presentation on how to rescue an unhappy multifocal patient.

Topcon and Oculentis have announced a European cooperation agreement covering sales, marketing and new product development. The deal will bring Topcon into the surgical market and give Oculentis access to Topcon's extensive sales and distribution network.

Following CE mark approval last month, Alcon proudly showcased the latest offering to its lens family; the AcrySof phakic lens.

The human eye is not geometrically round and biometry is required for proper sizing of phakic IOLs, Dr Liliana Werner told delegates in a presentation titled 'Phakic IOLs: a report from the pathology lab'.

Schwind and Zeimer announced today that they will cooperate to supply an integrated all-laser LASIK solution.

PhysIOL today announced the European launch of its aspheric aberration-correcting intraocular lenses - Slim AY 123 in a preloaded system and Micro AY for injection through a 1.8mm microincision.

David Bailey, president of international operations at Staar Surgical, makers of the Visian ICL & TICL, says ICL technology allows surgeons to differentiate themselves in the slowing LASIK marketplace.

Phakic IOLs offer slightly better results than LASIK for high myopia Dr Pablo Artal, of the Optical Laboratory in the University of Murcia in Spain, told delegates.