FOR RELEASE 9/7/2007, Friday
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Bausch & Lomb is launching its Stellaris Vision Enhancement System in Europe at the XXV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), which begins this weekend in Stockholm.
The Stellaris system is the cornerstone of Bausch & Lomb’s microincision cataract surgery (MICS™) platform, to which ophthalmologists around the world are transitioning. Delivering safety, efficiency and ease-of-use, the system is ideal for all techniques, particularly 1.8 mm biaxial (B-MICS) and 1.8 mm coaxial (C-MICS) procedures.
The Stellaris EQ™ fluidics management technology allows surgeons to choose either a flow-vacuum module (AFM) or an advanced vacuum module (AVM). Using the flow based module, surgeons can switch between flow and vacuum modes for optimal surgical flexibility and efficiency. The inherent safety of the Stellaris system stems from the novel EQ technology, which balances aspiration dynamics in flow and vacuum modes for exceptional chamber stability. A new ergonomically-designed, six-crystal phaco handpiece, Bluetooth wireless-enabled dual-linear foot pedal, and high-definition touch-screen display have been designed to address the demanding needs of today’s surgical environments.
“Bausch & Lomb’s successful surgical business has continued to gain momentum in recent years, thanks in part to our Millennium™ Microsurgical System and Akreos™ acrylic intraocular lens,” said Alan Farnsworth, corporate senior vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, Bausch & Lomb. “With the launch of the Stellaris Vision Enhancement System and our Akreos MI60 microincision lens, we’re poised to further enhance our leadership position.”
Leading European surgeons will be presenting their first clinical experiences with the Stellaris system in both B-MICS and C-MICS procedures at Bausch & Lomb’s MICS Symposium, scheduled for the evening of September 10 at the Congress Centre.
“The Stellaris system offers greater performance, control and versatility than its predecessors, with optimized cutting to deal with even the hardest nuclei. The improved fluidics are increasingly important for chamber stability in both biaxial and micro-coaxial phaco. Surgical control is improved in the wide range of lens opacities," commented H. Burkhard Dick, M.D., Universitäts-Augenklinik, Center for Vision Science, Ruhr University.
"The system lets surgeons operate at our own pace when using smaller incisions, without compromising speed or efficiency, while delivering excellent optical outcomes. It limits complications, reduces the rehabilitation time for the patient and provides excellent results directly after surgery. After more than 50 cases with the Stellaris system, I continue to be impressed."
In addition to the Stellaris system, Bausch & Lomb is showcasing new advancements in refractive surgery during ESCRS 2007, including:
•Zyoptix® ACE™ Advanced Control Eyetracking technology. Zyoptix ACE is designed to further improve the accuracy and predictability of refractive surgery outcomes by dynamically compensating for intraoperative cyclotorsion (eye rotation).
•ZyoptixXP Epi Separator. This forthcoming epithelial separation technology for the Zyoptix XP microkeratome platform will support both LASIK surgery and Epi-LASIK* surgery, a procedure that may be more appropriate for certain patients such as those with thin corneas, higher refractive errors or dry eyes. It allows surgeons to easily and efficiently switch microkeratome heads to make precise and predictable epithelial flaps in the same time as LASIK flaps.
The latest Zyoptix technologies, including the Zyoptix ACE and the Zyoptix XP Epi Separator, will be presented at the Zyoptix Alliance meeting tonight. A panel of industry experts will also share one-year clinical results for the Zyoptix Advanced Personalized Technologies, as well as the innovation behind the AcuFocus corneal inlay, which is being evaluated as a treatment for presbyopia.
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About Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y. Bausch & Lomb’s 2006 revenues were more than $2.2 billion; it employs more than 13,000 people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information can be found at www.bausch.com.
* Epi-LASIK is not an approved indication for the Zyoptix laser platform in the U.S.
Stellaris, Akreos, EQ, MICS, Millennium, Zyoptix, and ACE are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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