Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced that ReLEx, the first femtosecond-only method of laser vision correction, is now available for sale outside the United States. The new application, ReLEx, allows ophthalmic surgeons to perform a variety of complete laser vision correction procedures using on the VisuMax femtosecond laser. The technology is the company’s brand name for complete laser vision correction procedures that can be performed entirely with the company’s VisuMax laser, such as the femtosecond lamellar extraction (FLEx) method and the small incision lamellar extraction (SMILE) method. It uses laser cutting, while excimer lasik uses ablation of tissue. Additionally, surgeons can perform lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty and tissue resection and corneal flap cutting procedures with the use of the VisuMax. ReLEx allows for very small flap sizes, typically just 0.5 to 1 mm larger in diameter than the optical zone. It also provides an easier, faster workflow for the surgeon because the procedure can be performed using a single laser. The technology is expected to become commercially available internationally in 2011. For more information, visit: www.meditec.zeiss.com