Bausch + Lomb, the global leader in eye health, and Technolas™ Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV), a leading ophthalmology laser company, plan to introduce the VICTUS™ Femtosecond Laser Platform at the upcoming XXIX Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS 2011). The VICTUS platform is a first-of-its-kind technology, capable of supporting cataract, refractive and therapeutic procedures in a single platform. The versatile platform is designed to enable greater precision compared to manual cataract surgery techniques, potentially enhancing the patient experience.
"I believe the femtosecond laser is the single most significant advancement in cataract surgery in the last 40 years," said Stephen G. Slade, MD, FACS with Slade & Baker Vision Center. "The introduction of the latest femtosecond laser, the VICTUS platform, by these two industry leaders further validates the field of laser cataract surgery. Bringing laser technology to cataract surgery will benefit both surgeons and our patients."
Bausch + Lomb and TPV are currently working with regulatory authorities around the world to secure marketing approvals for the new platform and, as previously announced, will promote the system globally, leveraging their combined cataract and refractive expertise and commercial capabilities.
"Our focus is on bringing innovative products, like the VICTUS platform, to market that uniquely benefit ophthalmic surgeons and patients," said Robert E. Grant, chief executive officer and president, Global Surgical Business, for Bausch + Lomb. "TPV's advanced German engineering and precise manufacturing are perfect complements to Bausch + Lomb's substantial surgical product portfolio and commercial expertise as a global eye health leader."
While current cataract surgery techniques can achieve positive outcomes, the procedure relies on multiple manual steps, which can create variability. Early published data suggest that Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery (LRCS), as offered by the VICTUS platform, may allow physicians to create a more precise, controllable and centered capsulotomy (incision that allows access to the cataract-clouded lens). LRCS may also allow for less phaco energy to be generated during lens fragmentation, improve intraocular lens placement and potentially enhance patient outcomes and experience.(1-3)
"The VICTUS Femtosecond Laser Platform is the realization of our technical work and the culmination of our partnership with Bausch + Lomb," said Kristian Hohla, PhD, chief executive officer of Technolas Perfect Vision. "At the upcoming ESCRS meeting we look forward to presenting the new platform and providing demonstrations of the technology so that ophthalmic surgeons can experience its potential for themselves."
The VICTUS platform, along with early clinical data, will also be presented in October at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA and at the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS) in Seoul, South Korea.
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