JENA, Germany & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZEISS:
ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless: Products Designed to Work Together for Markerless Toric IOL Alignment
The U.S. FDA recently cleared the “markerless” element of the ZEISS Cataract Suite, completing the integrated system that makes toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation precise and efficient1. ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless integrates the IOLMaster® 500 optical biometer, OPMI Lumera® surgical microscopes, CALLISTO eye® computer-assisted cataract surgery system and FORUM® data management system.
ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless simplifies the toric IOL implantation and alignment workflow for the surgeon. To do this, a reference image of the limbal blood vessels is captured preoperatively so that it can be superimposed on the microscope image during surgery. In this way, the astigmatism axis calculated preoperatively is displayed intraoperatively as a navigation aid for the surgeon. The usual time-consuming steps of pre-operative and intraoperative marking of the corneal surface of the patient’s eye are eliminated, creating a more efficient surgical workflow.
Additional Distribution Channel for Cataract Surgery Products in the U.S.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and Abbott announced at the AAO that they have entered into a nonexclusive commercial collaboration in the United States. The new relationship leverages the breadth and strength of both companies’ technologies. Under the agreement, Abbott will distribute the ZEISS portfolio of cataract surgery products – including the ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless – in the United States. “Together with surgeons, Abbott is committed to delivering unsurpassed visual outcomes to patients. Our collaboration with ZEISS further demonstrates our commitment by expanding our portfolio and providing our customers a unique and comprehensive cataract solution,” said Murthy Smhamhatla, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Medical Optics, Abbott.
“Surgeons should have the choice of the best and most innovative products to maximize clinical outcomes, manage their data, and optimize their workflow. That is why we agreed to expand our customer reach in the United States by making our products available additionally through Abbott,” said Dr. Ludwin Monz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.
The ZEISS cataract surgery products will continue to be available through the existing ZEISS distribution channel as well.
Retina and Glaucoma Diagnostics
At AAO 2014 ZEISS is also showing a new CIRRUS™ HD-OCT 5000 – the industry-leading device in OCT2 – with additions to its diagnostic and management tools for comprehensive eye care.
CIRRUS HD-OCT for glaucoma:
For better assessment of the risk of angle closure glaucoma, ZEISS now offers Chamber View™, the first-ever full anterior chamber imaging for retinal OCT. Also new is the HD Angle scan with improved tissue penetration and unprecedented levels of resolution of key angle anatomical landmarks.
The new wide field visualizations of the CIRRUS PanoMap help facilitate patient assessment for glaucoma. It displays structural data for the entire posterior pole, all in a single report.
CIRRUS HD-OCT for retinal diseases:
New Smart HD Scan patterns let the doctor more efficiently inspect high-resolution B-scans for fluid, which helps doctors with the practice-management challenge of determining injection schedules for patients treated with anti-VEGF medications (more than 1 million anti-VEGF injections are given each year for retinal diseases3).
Only CIRRUS Smart HD scan patterns automatically center themselves on the fovea to ensure this critical anatomy is captured in the scan set. This can reduce the need for rescans, which interrupt workflow.
New En Face views. The vitreoretinal interface (VRI) view reveals areas where the epiretinal membrane is detached from the retina, which can inform the doctor’s surgical approach.
New Technology Under Development
ZEISS is developing a new technology: OCT angiography. The first publication on this technology from ZEISS was released Sept. 22 online in OSLI Retina4, authored by a collaborative team of leading retina researchers and ZEISS scientists. The paper describes OCT angiography as a new, non-invasive way to assess retinal vasculature. While the technology is still under development, potential applications may reduce the need for invasive fluorescein procedures to monitor disease. More information about this new technology under development is available in the ZEISS booth at AAO.
Essential Line: ZEISS Quality from the Very Beginning
Furthermore, ZEISS can now provide its customers with a more comprehensive offering for basic ophthalmic diagnostics than ever before. The Essential Line provides all eye specialists with access to ZEISS quality from the start and includes not only the proven slit lamps with imaging functions, but also products for objective and subjective refraction, examinations of the retina and measurement of intraocular pressure. The new offering includes the VISUPHOR® 500 digital phoropter; the VISUSCREEN® 100/500 acuity charts for use in subjective refraction; the portable VISUSCOUT® 100 fundus camera for retinal examinations; and the VISUPLAN® 500 non-contact tonometer for intraocular pressure testing.
Vision Makes a Difference: ZEISS and Orbis Team Up at AAO
In a unique program at the AAO 2014, ZEISS is championing the blindness prevent efforts of Orbis through the “Vision Makes a Difference” program. ZEISS will donate $25 to Orbis for each eye health professional who participates in a demonstration of a ZEISS product or workflow solution at booth #3808.
“With the ‘Vision Makes a Difference’ program, ZEISS and its customers in Chicago can together make a difference for people served by Orbis,” said Dr. Monz. “As a founding partner of the Vision 2020 initiative, we strive for a world without avoidable blindness. Orbis can count on our commitment. We are steadfastly committed to helping preserve vision and prevent blindness – through both the products we develop for ophthalmologists like those at the AAO and the many charitable activities we support.”
ZEISS Booth #3808 at AAO 2014 in Chicago
Learn more about ZEISS innovations and practice solutions by visiting booth #3808 at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago, October 18 to 21, 2014. More information is also available at www.zeiss.com/chicago2014.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE0005313704) is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. The company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. Carl Zeiss Meditec's medical technology portfolio is rounded off by promising, future-oriented technologies such as intraoperative radiotherapy. In fiscal year 2012/2013 (ended 30 September) the company's around 2,500 employees generated revenue of EUR 906 million. Carl Zeiss Meditec headquarters are located in Jena, Germany.
The company has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research in India (CARIn) in Bangalore, India, and the Carl Zeiss Innovation Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the company's presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 35 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec shares are in free float. The remaining 65% are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world’s leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.
In the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological progress for more than 160 years and enhances the quality of life of many people around the globe. Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.
For more information, please go to www.meditec.zeiss.com
1 Clinical data from Prof. Findl / Dr. Hirnschall presented
at the ESCRS 2013 – technically verified pre- / intraoperative precision
adjustment ± 1.0° on average.
2 Retinal Diagnostic
Devices Report, Market Scope, 2013.
3 Washington Post,
Dec. 7, 2013.
4 Gregori et al. Swept-Source OCT
Angiography of the Retinal Vasculature Using Intensity
Differentiation-based Optical Microangiography Algorithms. OSLI Retina,
September 2014.
