Healthcare Industry News: intraocular lens
News Release - November 28, 2006
Carl Zeiss Meditec Named Ophthalmologists' First Choice for Optical Biometry
IOLMaster Number One for Axial Length Measurement According to Industry SurveyDUBLIN, Calif.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has been recognized for its leadership in precision biometry for cataract surgery, and the success of its IOLMaster® as the number one choice for axial length measurement, according to a survey of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). David Leaming, M.D., founder of Analeyz, Inc., has conducted this leading industry survey for the past 20 years, providing fellow ASCRS ophthalmologists' information about the practice styles and preferences of the profession.
Results of the ASCRS 2005 survey showed 47 percent of cataract surgeons in the United States use the IOLMaster for measuring axial length for cataract/IOL surgery, followed by applanation ultrasound techniques at 32 percent, and immersion ultrasound at 20 percent.
"The IOLMaster is one of the fastest growing technologies in ophthalmology today, holding the number one position among axial length measuring equipment in just five years since its introduction," said David Leaming, M.D., of Palm Springs, Calif. "My survey results show that approximately two-thirds of ophthalmologists performing 50-plus cataracts per month use the IOLMaster for axial length measurement. This is testament to the technology's precise performance, as well as surgeons' increased confidence in results obtained using the technology."
With 6,500 IOLMaster instruments installed worldwide, the revolutionary technology helps surgeons deliver precise surgical outcomes to meet both patient and surgeon expectations. The system allows technicians or surgeons to perform precise, non-contact optical biometric measurements and preoperative computation for the selection of optimal intraocular lenses (IOL). In addition, the measurement process is fast and patient-friendly due to the non-contact technology. As a result, there is no need for local anesthesia, water bath, contact probe or risk of infection, and patients can stay seated at one station for all necessary measurements.
"Cataract patients today have ever increasingly higher expectations of their surgical outcomes," said Jim Taylor, president and chief executive officer for Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. "As a result, surgeons are utilizing advanced technologies and tools to help them deliver accurate results to their patients. Dr. Leaming's survey shows that the IOL Master is emerging as the gold standard for biometric measurements associated with IOL procedures."
Cataract Facts:
Cataract disease is the leading cause of blindness and continues to increase at an alarming rate annually. According to the National Institute of Science Education (NISE), and the National Science Foundation (NSE), there are an estimated 400,000 new cases of cataract disease in the United States each year, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 20 million people worldwide suffer from blindness caused by age-related cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens, the part of the eye responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images. For most people, cataracts form as a natural result of aging, and can be treated by the surgical replacement of the patient's cloudy lens with an artificial intra-ocular lens. In many cases, a patient's lifelong dependence on glasses can be minimized or even eliminated if the correct lens power is calculated before surgery.
About Carl Zeiss Meditec
Built on an unparalleled 160-year heritage of optical innovation, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (International Securities Identification Number DE000531370) is one of the world's leading eye care solutions providers.
Its product line includes systems for the diagnosis and treatment of the four main diseases of the eye: vision defects (refraction), cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disorders. The company has incorporated its technological expertise into a stream of product innovations throughout the years, from slit lamps and fundus cameras; to the Humphrey® Field Analyzer, recognized as the global standard for glaucoma detection and management; to its newest applications of lasers as embodied in its leading-edge MEL 80(TM) refractive laser, and innovative STRATUS OCT(TM) device as an aid for glaucoma detection and management. Since 2005, the company has also been present in the market for intraocular lenses and consumables, and now covers almost the entire value chain of ophthalmic surgery. The company is looking to continue its profitable growth in the future. The acquisition of Carl Zeiss Surgical further supplements the product portfolio in ophthalmic surgery and opens up additional growth prospects in neuro and ENT surgery. Carl Zeiss Surgical is the world's leading provider of visualization solutions in the two named fields.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is based in Jena, Germany, with subsidiaries in Pirmasens, Germany (Carl Zeiss Meditec Systems GmbH), the USA (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.), Japan (Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd.), Spain (Carl Zeiss Meditec Iberia S.A.) and France (IOLTECH S.A., Carl Zeiss Meditec SAS). The rapidly aging global population and other trends are expected to grow the ophthalmic market in the long term. The company is focused on applying innovative optical technologies to protect and enhance vision now and into the future.
Thirty-five percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec shares are in free float. The remaining 65 percent are held by Carl Zeiss, one of the world's leading international groups engaged in the optical and opto-electronics industry.
Source: Carl Zeiss Meditec
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