Raleigh LASIK Eye Surgeon to Present in Abu Dhabi

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) December 28, 2011

Leading Raleigh area LASIK surgeon Dr. Dean Dornic, medical director of the Laser Eye Center of Carolina has been invited to present at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The World Ophthalmology Congress is the longest running international medical meeting and is sponsored by the International Council of Ophthalmology. The meeting takes place in various cities worldwide on a yearly basis. This year's meeting is being hosted by the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology and takes place February 16-20, 2012 in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Dornic will be presenting his findings on the ability to prevent LASIK complications by using customized laser flaps. Dornic's clinic recently purchased a new model IntraLase laser that allows for the production of complex beveled flap edges. “These beveled edges cause the flap to fit more snugly making the flap more resistant to dislocation and trauma,” said Dornic. Dornic's center is currently the only facility in North Carolina to have the iFS model of IntraLase laser that can create the type of LASIK flaps described in his paper.

source: PR Web

OptiMedica Receives FDA Market Clearance of the Catalys™ Precision Laser System

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — December 22, 2011— Global ophthalmic company OptiMedica Corp. has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) market clearance of its Catalys Precision Laser System, a next generation laser cataract surgery system that brings unequaled precision and accuracy and a markedly streamlined workflow to the laser cataract procedure. Catalys combines a femtosecond laser, integrated Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging and OptiMedica’s breakthrough pattern scanning technology in an ergonomic, easy-to-use system that allows cataract surgeons to perform image-guided pre-operative laser lens conditioning. The system is FDA cleared for capsulotomy (a circular incision in the lens capsule) and/or lens fragmentation (segmenting and softening of the lens to prepare for removal).

“The FDA market clearance of Catalys is an exciting development in the emerging field of laser cataract surgery and a key milestone in the history of OptiMedica,” said Mark J. Forchette, OptiMedica president and chief executive officer. “OptiMedica has been committed to defining and delivering the standard for precision and accuracy in laser cataract surgery since the day our company was founded. We are proud to introduce the industry’s most sophisticated laser cataract surgery system to U.S. patients and physicians. I want to commend our team on this important achievement.”

Catalys is the product of an extensive effort by OptiMedica to deliver the precision and safety benefits of femtosecond laser to cataract surgery, a widely performed procedure estimated at 19 million cases worldwide per year.

source: OptiMedica

LASIK with optimized aspheric profiles may correct high myopia

LASIK performed with a new-generation excimer laser and optimized aberration-free ablation profiles succeeded in treating high myopia, a study found.

"These results contrast with several previous studies reporting the very low predictability of LASIK procedure in high refractive errors," the study authors said. "The refractive outcomes that we have obtained today treating high levels of myopia are similar to those reported for low to moderate myopia in the last decade, and possibly these outcomes will become even better in the future with the upcoming advances in excimer laser technology."

complete story: OSN Supersite

Baltimore Eye Surgeon Discusses Revival in Popularity of PRK Surgery

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) shows in its latest report that eye doctors performed 800,000 refractive surgical procedures in 2010. The AAO also indicates that more than 3.6 million people age 40 and older are visually impaired, or have 20/40 or worse vision in the better eye even with eyeglasses. At his Baltimore LASIK surgery and eye care practice, Dr. Jay C. Grochmal says many of his patients are choosing PRK surgery as an alternative to LASIK to correct their poor vision. He also says the procedure is rapidly growing in popularity again as patients are beginning to see the benefits it can offer for those who are not candidates for LASIK.

While LASIK surgery accrues more popular attention because of its well-known success and prevalence, Dr. Grochmal says PRK is extremely successful and can oftentimes be the best option for patients who meet certain criteria. Unlike LASIK, where a flap is created to perform the surgery, the surgeon removes the epithelial layer of the cornea and then reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser. Because the procedure does not involve flap creation on the eye, he says patients with thin corneas can often achieve the most effective results through a PRK procedure. Dr. Grochmal says the procedure can also work effectively for patients seeking enhancement of a previous LASIK procedure.

Dr. Grochmal says PRK can also be used for treatment of epithelial distrophy, or issues with the epithelium of the cornea. He adds that PRK's other benefits include removal of scars on the cornea, strengthening the cornea through cross-linking, and reduced formation of scar tissue.

source: PR Web

Bausch + Lomb and Technolas™ Perfect Vision Announce CE Mark Approval for VICTUS™ Femtosecond Laser Platform

Bausch + Lomb, the global leader in eye health, and Technolas™ Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV), a leading ophthalmology laser company, announced the commercial availability of the VICTUS™ Femtosecond Laser Platform in the European Union (EU). After securing CE mark approval, the VICTUS platform is approved for LASIK flap, astigmatic keratotomy, INTRACOR, capsulotomy and lens fragmentation.

"This is a significant milestone for Bausch + Lomb that will deliver breakthrough capabilities to our eye care professionals and the patients they serve," said Brent Saunders, chief executive officer of Bausch + Lomb.

The VICTUS platform is uniquely designed to support cataract, refractive and therapeutic procedures all on a single platform. The femtosecond laser technology enables greater precision in both cataract and refractive procedures compared to manual techniques, giving ophthalmologists more control and potentially enhancing the patient experience.

"This CE mark approval represents a major step for femtosecond laser technology by elevating the role that laser technology can play in refractive and cataract procedures," said Robert E. Grant, EVP and president and CEO, Global Surgical Business, for Bausch + Lomb. "I am excited that we will begin shipping product by the end of the year."

source: PR Newswire

Avedro Announces Its Second FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Corneal Cross-linking

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Avedro, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to the Company's VibeX (riboflavin ophthalmic solution) for use with its KXL System (UVA irradiation) for Corneal Cross-linking to treat corneal ectasia following refractive surgery, such as Lasik and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Corneal ectasia is a rare outcome of refractive surgery but is a progressive condition that is difficult to manage. This is the company's second orphan drug designation for VibeX.

"Avedro has yet again hit a major milestone in its efforts to make this clinically important treatment available to US patients," said Dr. Peter Hersh, a leading refractive surgeon and Medical Monitor for Avedro's clinical trials. "US ophthalmologists will be encouraged by this progress, as today they lack any approved therapeutic treatment to halt the progression of ectasia following refractive surgery."

source: Avedro

Fort Lauderdale Laser Eye Surgeon Says LASIK Procedure More Affordable Than Some May Think

The most recent study from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that Americans spend over $15 billion each year on eyewear to improve refractive errors. In comparison, approximately 800,000 vision correction procedures were performed in 2010, according to the AAO report. At CorrectVision Laser Institute, a center for LASIK surgery in Ft. Lauderdale, Dr. Marc Bosem says many patients are starting to take advantage of the payment options that can make laser vision correction procedures like LASIK more affordable. Dr. Bosem reassures patients that although a certain mentality exists that LASIK will cost more than continuing with glasses or contact lenses, vision correction can save money long term through options such as a Flex Spending Account (FSA).

An FSA, also known as a Medical Spending Account or flex plan, is an employer-sponsored benefit allowing patients to pay for eligible medical expenses tax-free. Dr. Bosem says patients who expect to incur medical expenses not reimbursed by regular health insurance plans should consider taking advantage of their employer’s FSA benefit, if one is offered. He also adds that an FSA can be an efficient way to decrease taxable income and make beneficial procedures such as LASIK more affordable. Contributions to the FSA are deducted from income at designated, equal amounts each pay period and placed into a special account before Federal, State, or Social Security taxes are calculated. Dr. Bosem says on January 1 of each year, the allocated funds are made available for use towards medical expenses not covered by insurance. He says this type of account offers significant advantages to patients worried about paying for LASIK. “A single individual earning $40,000 annually that utilizes flex spending to pay $4500 for LASIK will save approximately $1,469.25, which is 33%.

source: PR Web

Visian® Toric ICL™ Approved to Market in Japan

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- STAAR Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA), the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive refractive lenses, today announced that its Visian Toric Implantable Collamer® Lens has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. With this approval, the Company is able to expand its product offerings to include the Toric ICL in Japan, potentially one of its most significant markets. The Visian ICL became the first phakic lens to gain approval in Japan during 2010.

"This is a very important milestone for STAAR and we have been working very closely with the Japanese regulators to win approval for our Toric ICL," said Don Todd, President of the Asia Pacific Region. "With the high rates of myopia and astigmatism in Japan, this approval opens up a significant market opportunity for the company. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the Toric ICL can provide a superior solution for patients with myopia and astigmatism. Astigmatism is blurred vision which is created when the eye is unable to properly focus due to its irregular shape. An often used analogy is that where the eye is typically shaped like a basketball, in those with astigmatism, the eye is shaped more like a football. Since our distribution in Japan is direct, our gross margin for the Toric ICL will be very high making this a very attractive market for STAAR. We expect to begin shipping immediately."

According to Market Scope, 2010 Comprehensive Report on The Global Refractive Surgery Market, Japan is the third largest market in the world with 375,000 procedures performed in 2010.

source: PR Newswire