FDA OKs Zeiss Laser for Hyperopia

DUBLIN, Calif., April 11, 2011 — Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. announced that its MEL 80 excimer laser has received premarket approval from the FDA for the treatment of hyperopia. The new indication complements the existing FDA-approved applications of the surgical laser for myopia and astigmatism.

Combining optics with advanced excimer laser technology, the MEL 80 is now suitable for the reduction or elimination of naturally occurring hyperopia, or farsightedness. Hyperopia has been difficult to correct with laser surgery, but, according to the company, the new device makes correcting patients’ vision easier and more precise.

The MEL 80 has been tested on 189 patients from 22 to 69 years old. A total of 369 eyes were treated. After one year, 148 patients showed uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The results were presented in March at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in San Diego.

Carl Zeiss Meditec supplies medical technology, including complete packages of solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Its products include implants and visualization solutions for microsurgery.

For more information, visit: www.meditec.zeiss.com

There are 13 suppliers of Excimer Lasers in the Photonics Marketplace.

Published: April 2011

Glossary

astigmatism: A lens aberration that results in the tangential and sagittal image planes being separated axially.
excimer laser: An excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that emits short pulses of light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The term excimer is derived from excited dimer, reflecting the nature of the gain medium used in these lasers. Excimer lasers are widely used in various industrial, medical, and scientific applications due to their ability to deliver high-energy, UV light in short pulses. Key features and characteristics of excimer lasers include: Excimer molecules: The gain medium of an excimer...
hyperopia: A vision defect commonly referred to as farsightedness. Results when the image of a distant object is focused beyond the retina by the relaxed eye. The condition can be corrected by introducing a positive lens in front of the eye.
laser surgery: Laser surgery refers to a medical procedure in which a laser, or focused beam of light, is used as a precision tool to cut, vaporize, coagulate, or otherwise modify tissues for therapeutic or surgical purposes. Lasers offer several advantages in surgery, including precision, minimal invasiveness, and the ability to target specific tissues without causing extensive damage to surrounding areas. The process of laser surgery involves the following key components: Generation of laser...
myopia: A vision defect commonly referred to as nearsightedness. The defective condition results when the image of a distant object is focused in front of the retina by the relaxed eye. It can be corrected by introducing a negative lens in front of the eye.

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