New ZEISS Cataract Suite Markerless Makes Surgical Workflow More Efficient with Precise Toric IOL Alignment

Suite combines gold-standard biometry and visualization products with new technology – recently cleared by the FDA – that eliminates the need to mark the cornea for optimal IOL placement

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, a global leader in ophthalmic diagnostic and microsurgery systems, is presenting the next generation of the ZEISS Cataract Suite at the 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Chicago. Precise and efficient1 toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is supported by markerless alignment, using the combined technologies of 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 (Photo: Business Wire)

2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology

JENA, Germany & CHICAGO--()--ZEISS Cataract Suite assists physicians with placement of incisions, the centration of IOLs along the patient visual axis and alignment of toric IOLs along the optimal target axis. The recently FDA 510(k) cleared “markerless” version eliminates the step of pre-operative marking of the corneal surface of the patient’s eye, saving time in the surgical workflow: 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 ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless is a complete solution for cataract procedures that combines optimal outcomes for patients with an efficient workflow, and ZEISS is pleased that U.S. ophthalmologists now have access to the entire integrated system following the thorough assessment of the FDA,” said Dr. Ludwin Monz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. “The precise and fast markerless toric IOL alignment is a good example of how ZEISS and its innovations are an ideal partner for U.S. ophthalmologists, because now time-consuming steps are eliminated from what is an increasingly high-volume surgical procedure.”

It is estimated that the use of premium IOLs for treatment of cataracts in the U.S. is growing by up to 48 percent annually2. To fully profit from the benefits of premium IOLs and to meet the expectations of demanding customers place additional requirements on the physician in the level of accuracy. For example, research has shown that a 10-degree misalignment of a toric IOL can cause a one-third decrease in the desired effect of correcting corneal astigmatism3.

When used in conjunction with the FORUM data management system, ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless also enables seamless transfer of biometry data between the IOLMaster 500 – typically located in the physicians’ office – to the CALLISTO eye computer-assisted cataract surgery system located in the operating room. This increases efficiency, provides greater security of patients’ health information and eliminates manual data entry errors.

1Clinical data from Prof. Findl / Dr. Hirnschall presented at the ESCRS 2013 – technically verified pre- / intraoperative precision adjustment ± 1.0° on average

2Market Scope Report. Toric IOL demand outpaces demand for all other premium IOLs. March 2012.

3Visser N, Berendschot TT, Bauer NJ, et al. Accuracy of toric intraocular lens implantation in cataract and refractive surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2011;37(8):1394-1402.

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

Contacts

Press contact:
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc
Bill Taggart, Group Communications, +1 925-493-9251 (Mobile)
Dublin, California
william.taggart@zeiss.com
or
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Jann Gerrit Ohlendorf, Group Communications, +49 (0) 3641 220-331
press.meditec@zeiss.com
or
Contact for investors:
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Sebastian Frericks, Investor Relations, +49 (0) 3641 220-116
investors.meditec@zeiss.com
www.meditec.zeiss.com

Release Summary

New ZEISS Cataract Suite Markerless Makes Surgical Workflow More Efficient with Precise Toric IOL Alignment

Contacts

Press contact:
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc
Bill Taggart, Group Communications, +1 925-493-9251 (Mobile)
Dublin, California
william.taggart@zeiss.com
or
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Jann Gerrit Ohlendorf, Group Communications, +49 (0) 3641 220-331
press.meditec@zeiss.com
or
Contact for investors:
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Sebastian Frericks, Investor Relations, +49 (0) 3641 220-116
investors.meditec@zeiss.com
www.meditec.zeiss.com