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Media Contacts:
Kristy Marks
Director, Corporate Communications, Bausch + Lomb
kristy.marks@bausch.com
908-927-0683

Teresa Panas
BioComm Network, Inc., on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
tpanas@biocommnetwork.com
973-809-8590

Next-Generation Surgical Platform Features Advanced Retina Capabilities and is Equipped to Integrate Future Technologies, including Vitesse™ Hypersonic Vitrectomy System

BRIDGEWATER, New Jersey, August 7, 2017 – Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced the U.S. launch of the Stellaris Elite™ vision enhancement system for retina surgery, which integrates advanced retina capabilities into the next-generation surgical platform. This new system features multiple advancements as well as the ability to seamlessly integrate future technologies, such as the Vitesse™ hypersonic vitrectomy system, which will be exclusive to Stellaris Elite.

“Specifically designed for retina surgery, this Stellaris Elite model represents a new level of surgical control and efficiency,” said Chuck Hess, vice president and general manager, U.S. Surgical, Bausch + Lomb. “The system offers leading-edge technologies and a broad range of options and accessories, making it an outstanding option for facilities and surgeons who are looking to enhance their surgical capabilities now and into the future.”

Stellaris Elite offers a variety of vitrectomy cutters operating up to 7,500 cuts per minute (cpm). The system will also feature a new 27 gauge BiBlade® vitrectomy cutter that offers cut rates up to 15,000 cpm and features an open-port design resulting in a higher, more consistent flow rate compared to single port cutters.

A dedicated combination of dual light source, fiber optics, and light filtering technologies includes specialized illumination options designed specifically for small-gauge vitrectomy, and the ability to support fiber optic illuminators as small as 29 gauge. Proprietary color filters deliver distinct clinical benefits such as minimizing glare (amber), highlighting structural details (green) and filtering out potentially damaging blue light (yellow and green). Filters may also be used to augment or even replace intraoperative dyes.

The Stellaris Elite system also offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance laser probes. The patented Directional Laser Probe features a fixed fiber with a moving shaft for unique 90-degree curve actuation and provides excellent midfield light output.

The novel Vitesse system, which will only be offered on Stellaris Elite, is the first and only hypersonic, 100% open port vitrectomy platform, representing a revolutionary new approach to vitreous removal. Using patented technology, Vitesse uses highly localized tissue liquification zone at the edge of the port to liquefy vitreous for exceptional control during tissue removal. The open port design is 100% open 100% of the time for continuous flow, and the unique single-lumen design provides completely unobstructed aspiration. Compared to traditional pneumatic cutters that aspirate first and then shear vitreous, Vitesse liquefies vitreous to create small fibril fragments first and then aspirates tissue efficiently.

On July 18, surgeons performed the very first human vitrectomy procedures in a post-approval clinical study using the Vitesse™ technology. The results of the study will be available in the coming months.

Stellaris Elite machines that are configured for retina surgery are available now and will come equipped with the Vitesse technology, which is exclusively designed to be used with the Vitesse hand piece once it is released commercially in late 2017.

About Stellaris Elite

Introduced in May of this year, the Stellaris Elite™ vision enhancement system is Bausch + Lomb’s next- generation surgical platform, which offers many new cutting-edge innovations, as well as the opportunity to add upgrades and enhancements continuously, allowing surgeons to customize their machines and expand their capabilities more rapidly than ever before. The Stellaris Elite anterior system is the first to offer Adaptive Fluidics™ chamber stabilization system, which combines precise aspiration control with predictive infusion management to create a highly responsive and controlled surgical environment for efficient lens removal.* It also features the Attune^® energy management system, which utilizes highly efficient, emulsification to complement Adaptive Fluidics.  Attune energy management works synergistically with the chamber stability and vacuum efficiency of Adaptive Fluidics to deliver efficient, low energy controlled lens removal.

About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing and restoring people’s eyesight. Its core businesses include over-the-counter supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in more than 100 countries.

*Data obtained in bench study

Stellaris Elite, Vitesse, Adaptive Fluidics and Attune are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
BiBlade is a trademark of Medical Instrument Development Laboratories, Inc. used by agreement.
Any other product/brand names are trademarks of the respective owners.
© 2017 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. SEP.0022.USA.17