ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 25 -- Bausch & Lomb reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval for marketing of the company's Technolas 217 excimer laser system, which is used by ophthalmic surgeons in performing laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK. Our advanced flying spot Technolas 217 excimer laser system is the technology leader around the world, and we intend to make it a leader in the US as well, said Hakan Edstrom, senior vice president of Bausch & Lomb and president of Global Surgical. This technology will provide better surgical outcomes for patients, which is the ultimate goal of Bausch & Lomb's complete approach to vision correction.
According to Bausch & Lomb, results of the FDA pre-market approval clinical study show that 99.7 percent of all patients who have undergone surgery with the Technolas 217 see 20/40 or better without glasses or contact lenses; this is 14.7 percent higher than required by FDA guidance. Results also show that 87.3 percent of all patients in the study see 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses after the surgery, the company reported.