New offerings for the refractive surgeon

The Visante omni is the first system to combine OCT and Placido disk technologies, providing comprehensive anterior and posterior topography for improved patient selection and care. Linking two of Carl Zeiss' platforms, the Atlas corneal topographer with Visante OCT), the new Visante omni allows the refractive surgeon to identify pre-existing corneal abnormalities, such as keratoconus, in their earliest stages.

“Combining OCT pachymetry with Placido disk technology may provide the most precise information possible about the back surface of the cornea,” said Jack Holladay, MD, of Holladay Lasik Institute. In addition, the Visante omni Holladay reports, allows physicians to access patient-specific data sets in a simple, one page printout to maximize workflow and practice efficiencies.

The new 500 kHz VisuMax Femtosecond System is said by Zeiss to be more than twice the speed of the 200 kHz system. Treatment times are reduced from approximately 20 - 25 seconds to just ten seconds per eye. Laser spot density is also said to have been increased by approximately 20 per cent, facilitating more consistent flap lifts and smoother stromal beds. The new 500 kHz upgrade works with the existing VisuMax platform with no programming modifications required by the surgeon.

“Clinically, this produces two significant benefits. First, the higher repetition rate reduces the actual laser emission time, which is the critical phase of the procedure. Thus, the patient is required to remain still for a very short amount of time. Secondly, the higher spot density results in even more precise tissue separation,” said Jon Dishler, MD, of Dishler Laser Institute.