Bausch + Lomb and Technolas™ Perfect Vision Introduce VICTUS™ Femtosecond Laser Platform at 2011 ESCRS Meeting

ALISO VIEJO, California and MUNICH, September 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- First Single-Platform Femtosecond Laser Designed for Cataract, Refractive and Therapeutic Surgery To Be Unveiled

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.  

About Cataract Surgery  

An estimated 20 million aging baby boomers and seniors have cataracts. 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. These ultra-short pulses are too brief to transfer heat or shock to the material being cut and can make surgical incisions with extreme precision.

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.

1. Nagy Z, et al. Comparative analysis of femtolaser-assisted and manual capsularhexis during phacoemulsification. Presented at: XXVIII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons; September 5, 2010; Paris, France.

2. Koch D, et al. The use of OCT-guided femtosecond laser to facilitate cataract nuclear disassembly and aspiration. Presented at: XXVIII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons; September 5, 2010; Paris, France.

3. Batlle J, et al. Prospective randomized study of size and shape accuracy of OptiMedica femtosecond laser capsulotomy vs. manual capsularhexis. Presented at: XXVIII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons; September 5, 2010; Paris, France.

VICTUS is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.  TECHNOLAS is a trademark of Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH.

News Media Contacts:
Michelle McAdam
Bausch + Lomb
+1 (949) 297-3546, +1 (949) 902-1274 (mobile) or michelle.mcadam@bausch.com

Jodi Brooks
Weber Shandwick on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
+1 (917) 520-7312 or jbrooks@webershandwick.com