OptiMedica releases new details on femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery

Apr 12 2010

OptiMedica Corp., a global ophthalmic device company, has released new details regarding the development of its proprietary femtosecond laser system for cataract surgery. The new system, which combines OptiMedica's breakthrough pattern scanning technology, an ultra-fast laser and integrated Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, is designed to dramatically improve the complex cataract procedure by replacing its most technically demanding and manual steps. The product of years of deep engagement with a diverse team of cataract thought leaders, the new system is intended to provide refractive cataract surgeons with the same successful formula of precision, control, performance, safety and efficacy that OptiMedica has delivered in retina.

“Femtosecond laser technology for cataract surgery is one of the most promising therapeutic areas in ophthalmology, and OptiMedica has worked on this technology since the inception of the company”

"Femtosecond laser technology for cataract surgery is one of the most promising therapeutic areas in ophthalmology, and OptiMedica has worked on this technology since the inception of the company," said Mark J. Forchette, OptiMedica president and chief executive officer. "With the proven success of our PASCAL^® Photocoagulator in retina, we have clearly demonstrated our ability to transform therapeutic practice on a global scale. That history, along with the deep engagement and significant input of our diverse cataract medical advisory board, is a winning combination that will deliver real impact for refractive cataract surgeons and their patients."

OptiMedica's cataract medical advisory board is comprised of 12 world-renowned ophthalmologists, eight of whom have used the company's cataract system in the clinic. OptiMedica's senior leadership, design team and engineers have worked hand-in-hand with these medical advisors at every step of the development process, from product design and clinical study to commercial planning.

"My experience working with OptiMedica on the development of its cataract technology has been very exciting and rewarding, as we are literally changing the face of cataract surgery as we know it today," said William Culbertson, M.D., the Lou Higgins Professor of Ophthalmology, the director of the Cornea Service and Refractive Surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami; and OptiMedica's cataract medical advisory board chair. "With the company's new femtosecond laser system, we will be giving cataract physicians the tools they've long needed to master the critical yet difficult steps of capsulorhexis creation and nucleus fragmentation during cataract surgery. I expect the increased safety and precision afforded by this technology will yield significant improvement in patient outcomes as well as patient access to the procedure."

Dr. Culbertson, who will be speaking on his experience with OptiMedica's femtosecond laser technology on April 12 at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Symposium & Congress in Boston, is joined on OptiMedica's cataract advisory board by members including:

• Juan F. Batlle, M.D., Centro Laser, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Neil J. Friedman, M.D., partner, Mid-Peninsula Ophthalmology Medical Group; Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
• Jose L. Guëll, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Autonoma University of Barcelona (UAB) - University of Lugano (ESASO); Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department, Instituto Microciruugia Ocular IMO
• Douglas D. Koch, M.D., Professor and the Allen, Mosbacher and Law Chair in Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine; Cullen Eye Institute
• Stephen S. Lane, M.D., Adjunct Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota; managing partner, Associated Eye Care
• Samuel Masket, M.D., Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles
• Robert H. Osher, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Medical Director Emeritus, Cincinnati Eye Institute
• Barry S. Seibel, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles
• Julian Stevens, M.D., Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
• Jonathan H. Talamo, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Talamo Laser Eye Consultants
• John A. Vukich, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin, Madison

OptiMedica's cataract program builds on a long history of innovation and market transformation, including the successful global commercialization of its patented PASCAL (PAttern SCAn Laser) Photocoagulator system. Available worldwide since 2006, PASCAL Photocoagulators have been used to treat 750,000 patients, with more than 40 million patterns delivered. The company's femtosecond laser system has already drawn significant interest from the clinical community, with presentations on the technology garnering wide attendance at both the September 2009 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and October 2009 American Academy of Ophthalmology meetings.