ALISO VIEJO, California and MUNICH, December 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- First Single-Platform Femtosecond Laser Now Commercially Available in European Union

Bausch + Lomb, the global leader in eye health, and Technolas™ Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV), a leading ophthalmology laser company, announced the commercial availability of the VICTUS™ Femtosecond Laser Platform in the European Union (EU). After securing CE mark approval, the VICTUS platform is approved for LASIK flap, astigmatic keratotomy, INTRACOR, capsulotomy and lens fragmentation.

"This is a significant milestone for Bausch + Lomb that will deliver breakthrough capabilities to our eye care professionals and the patients they serve," said Brent Saunders, chief executive officer of Bausch + Lomb.

The VICTUS platform is uniquely designed to support cataract, refractive and therapeutic procedures all on a single platform. The femtosecond laser technology enables greater precision in both cataract and refractive procedures compared to manual techniques, giving ophthalmologists more control and potentially enhancing the patient experience.

"This CE mark approval represents a major step for femtosecond laser technology by elevating the role that laser technology can play in refractive and cataract procedures," said Robert E. Grant, EVP and president and CEO, Global Surgical Business, for Bausch + Lomb. "I am excited that we will begin shipping product by the end of the year."

As previously announced, Bausch + Lomb and TPV will promote the VICTUS platform globally, leveraging their combined cataract and refractive expertise and commercial capabilities. The two organizations are also working with regulatory authorities around the world to secure additional marketing approvals for the platform.

"Our focus has been to empower ophthalmic surgeons with the latest advances in laser technology in order to potentially provide patients with better outcomes and quality of life," said Kristian Hohla, PhD, chief executive officer of Technolas Perfect Vision. "We are very pleased that, together with Bausch + Lomb, we have demonstrated the viability of the VICTUS platform for enhanced cataract surgery."

The VICTUS platform as well as early clinical data was presented at the 2011 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress in Vienna, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting in Orlando and at the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS) in Seoul earlier this year. Plans to submit the data for publication in peer-reviewed journals are underway.

About Cataract Surgery

An estimated 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide and approximately 33 percent of visual impairments are due to cataracts[1]. Over 15 million cataract surgeries are performed worldwide each year. A cataract is a clouding on the normally clear lens in the eye. Cataract surgery is a simple procedure during which the natural lens in the patient's eye is surgically replaced with an intraocular lens.

About Femtosecond Lasers

Femtosecond lasers emit optical pulses of extremely short duration in the domain of femtoseconds, as short as one-quadrillionth of a second. With these ultra-short pulses, tissue can be cut more precisely and with practically no heat development.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at http://www.bausch.com.

About Technolas Perfect Vision

Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV) is a leading ophthalmology laser company, formed through a joint venture between Bausch + Lomb, and 20/10 Perfect Vision AG. TPV has a full range of expertise in both femtosecond and excimer businesses. Current innovations focus on laser cataract surgery and the correction of presbyopia with the SUPRACOR™ and INTRACOR® laser treatments. More information is available at http://www.technolaspv.com and http://www.better-reading-vision.net.

VICTUS is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
TECHNOLAS, SUPRACOR and INTRACOR are trademarks of Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH.
© Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

[1]  World Health Organization Health Statistics October 2011 - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/

News Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Harness Murphy
Global Communications, Bausch + Lomb
+1-585-281-8219 (mobile) or elizabeth.murphy@bausch.com

Nora Senior
Weber Shandwick on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
+44-7770-886-921 (mobile) or nsenior@webershandwick.com

Lindsay Brooks
Manager, Medical Communications, Technolas Perfect Vision
+44-7825-769-007 (mobile) or l.brooks@technolaspv.com

SOURCE Bausch + Lomb