ESCRS 2008

All the news from the XXVI Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, held September 13–17 2008 at the ICC in Berlin, Germany.

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DateDay One |  Day Two |  Day Three |  Day Four

Type of newsIndustry and Product news |  Scientific news

Disclaimer:This information has been independently developed and provided by the editors of Ophthalmology Times Europe.

The sponsors do not endorse and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content or for practices or standards of non-sponsor sources.

These articles may discuss regimens that have not been approved by the appropriate regulatory bodies. For full prescribing information including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse experiences please see the appropriate manufacturer's product circular.

Day One: Saturday 13 September 2008

Accurate phakic IOL biometry essentialThe 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'. 

Phakic IOLs better than LASIK for high myopiaPhakic 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. 

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

ICL and TICL counter LASIK slowdownDavid 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. 

PhysIOL launches new aspheric lensesPhysIOL 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. 

Day Two: Sunday 14 September 2008

How to achieve the perfect multifocal IOL implantationGood 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. 

Alcon showcases new phakic lensFollowing CE mark approval last month [August 2008], Alcon proudly showcased the latest offering to its lens family; the AcrySof phakic lens. 

Topcon and Oculentis join forcesTopcon 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. 

A new angle on small incisionDr Robert H. Osher, MD, demonstrated a new range of micro scissors and forceps showcased for the first time in Europe by Geuder. 

Patient dissatisfaction most common cause for multifocal lens explantationsPreop chair time is vital for multifocal patients to correctly evaluate motivation and manage expectations correctly, Dr Jorge Alió told delegates during a presentation on how to rescue an unhappy multifocal patient. 

One-click diagnostics from WaveLightWaveLight 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. 

100% patient satisfaction in mix and match studyMixing 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. 

Surgeon controversially shuns multifocal IOLsMonovision 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. 

Day Three: Monday 15 September 2008

FLEx: just as effective but cheaper than Femto-LASIKRefractive 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 vs coaxial MICS: who wins?Bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and microaxial phacolemulsification provide optically better incisions but bimanual MICS respects more corneal prolateness than microaxial phaco, Mr Jorge Alió, told delegates. 

Intrastromal presbyopia treatment impressesIn 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. 

B&L is not sitting stillBausch & Lomb have been busy this year, using the opportunity presented by the ESCRS congress to make several announcements concerning their cataract and refractive business. 

Tiolat Oy announces new name and expansion plansOn 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. 

Alcon launches new generation ReSTORAlcon has launched the +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) with natural chromophore. 

Lens refilling brings accommodation two steps closerOphthalmology 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. 

Day Four: Tuesday 16 September 2008

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

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

Dry eye diagnostic coming to a clinic near youOcuSense, 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. 

Femtosecond benefits in corneal proceduresDr 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. 

Femtosecond gets thumbs up from PallikarisFemtosecond lasers provide a safe and effective way to create corneal flaps and tunnels, explained Professor Ionannis Pallikaris. 

Oertli proud of new 1.6 mm tipOertli 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. 

It's all changing at ZeissRecent 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. 

Seiler vs Holladay: the presbyopia debateThe 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. 

Moria introduces single-use cataract instrumentsThe "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. 

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

Industry and product news

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

ICL and TICL counter LASIK slowdownDavid 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. 

PhysIOL launches new aspheric lensesPhysIOL 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. 

Alcon showcases new phakic lensFollowing CE mark approval last month [August 2008], Alcon proudly showcased the latest offering to its lens family; the AcrySof phakic lens. 

Topcon and Oculentis join forcesTopcon 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. 

A new angle on small incisionDr Robert H. Osher, MD, demonstrated a new range of micro scissors and forceps showcased for the first time in Europe by Geuder. 

One-click diagnostics from WaveLightWaveLight 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. 

B&L is not sitting stillBausch & Lomb have been busy this year, using the opportunity presented by the ESCRS congress to make several announcements concerning their cataract and refractive business. 

Tiolat Oy announces new name and expansion plansOn 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. 

Alcon launches new generation ReSTORAlcon has launched the +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) with natural chromophore. 

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

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

Dry eye diagnostic coming to a clinic near youOcuSense, 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. 

Oertli proud of new 1.6 mm tipOertli 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. 

It's all changing at ZeissRecent 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. 

Moria introduces single-use cataract instrumentsThe "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. 

Scientific news

Accurate phakic IOL biometry essentialThe 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'. 

Phakic IOLs better than LASIK for high myopiaPhakic 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. 

How to achieve the perfect multifocal IOL implantationGood 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. 

Patient dissatisfaction most common cause for multifocal lens explantationsPreop chair time is vital for multifocal patients to correctly evaluate motivation and manage expectations correctly, Dr Jorge Alió told delegates during a presentation on how to rescue an unhappy multifocal patient. 

100% patient satisfaction in mix and match studyMixing 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. 

Surgeon controversially shuns multifocal IOLsMonovision 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. 

FLEx: just as effective but cheaper than Femto-LASIKRefractive 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 vs coaxial MICS: who wins?Bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and microaxial phacolemulsification provide optically better incisions but bimanual MICS respects more corneal prolateness than microaxial phaco, Mr Jorge Alió, told delegates. 

Intrastromal presbyopia treatment impressesIn 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. 

Lens refilling brings accommodation two steps closerOphthalmology 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. 

Femtosecond benefits in corneal proceduresDr 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. 

Femtosecond gets thumbs up from PallikarisFemtosecond lasers provide a safe and effective way to create corneal flaps and tunnels, explained Professor Ionannis Pallikaris. 

Seiler vs Holladay: the presbyopia debateThe 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. 

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

Disclaimer:This information has been independently developed and provided by the editors of Ophthalmology Times Europe.

The sponsors do not endorse and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content or for practices or standards of non-sponsor sources.

These articles may discuss regimens that have not been approved by the appropriate regulatory bodies. For full prescribing information including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse experiences please see the appropriate manufacturer's product circular.