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Carl Zeiss Meditec Showcases New Solutions Designed to Enhance Clinical Value With Focus on Future Clinical Applications at AAO
| Source: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
LAS VEGAS, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 10, 2006 -- AAO Booth #2820 -- Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
will highlight its latest initiatives in support of the advancement of
vision care around the world, here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology
(AAO) annual meeting, November 11-14, 2006.
"Through scientific advancements as well as product and technology
innovations, it is our goal to deliver valuable tools and services that
enable clinicians to preserve and improve vision today, with a clear path
for future clinical needs." said Jim Taylor, president and chief executive
officer for Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
The company will showcase its full suite of products with a focus on unique
refractive laser systems, the latest technologies and products for OCT
imaging, advanced glaucoma clinical analysis capabilities, and a broad
spectrum of system and data connectivity solutions.
Products to be Showcased
In the refractive laser arena, the company will present the MEL 80 excimer
system, as well as an advanced femtosecond laser technology. The MEL 80,
which received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in August
2006 for vision correction eye surgery, provides superior outcomes for
myopic patients and eliminates the need for expensive, customized
wave-front guided treatment. Results from the MEL 80 clinical studies found
that 93 percent of patients were corrected at three months to 20/20 or
better visual acuity, and 41 percent were corrected to 20/12.5 or better at
six months. Additionally, results showed that 85 percent of patients
achieved within one-half of a diopter of the intended correction at three
months post-operative follow-up.
Carl Zeiss Meditec has long been the innovator in optical coherence
tomography, as evidenced by both the Visante® and Stratus OCT™
systems. The latest applications for these OCT platforms will be shown
along with a demonstration of the most recent spectral domain OCT
technologies. The Stratus OCT has emerged as the gold standard in retinal
imaging for a wide array of ophthalmic conditions, offering detailed
cross-sectional images of the retina, precise measurements, and clinically
validated application protocols that enhance clinicians' diagnostic
abilities for AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and a broad range of
other retinal pathologies. Over 37,000 scans are performed daily in the
United States with this revolutionary system, and the device has been used
in landmark pharmaceutical trials and studies worldwide to help define
end-points, as well as help titrate pharmaceutical interventions for
age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The recently launched Visante OCT is the first stand-alone, high resolution
OCT system for the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, iris,
angle and the lens. In an early-user study, authored by leading industry
consultant Shareef Mahdavi of SM2 Consulting, the Visante OCT was shown to
provide significant value in refractive surgery applications, as well as in
cornea and glaucoma diagnoses and treatment follow-up. Customers report
that this sophisticated device is easily integrated into busy clinics, and
they were impressed with its ability to generate images previously
unattainable in daily clinical practice.
Additional products and technologies showcased by the company offer
advanced, accurate progression analysis and enhanced management of the
glaucoma patient. The company will highlight its Guided Progression
Analysis™ (GPA) products, expanding on the industry-leading GPA for the
Humphrey® Field Analyzer with the addition of GPA tools for both the
Stratus OCT and the GDx Scanning Laser Polarimeter.
"Glaucoma is the world's second leading cause of blindness and is
irreversible," said Taylor. "Our goal is to provide tools to help
clinicians make treatment decisions for their patients, and to help
minimize healthcare expenses. It is imperative that a clinician knows
whether a patient is progressing, and if so, at what rate in order to
provide the most appropriate, first-level therapy or more aggressive
treatment. The right progression tools can help identify these patients
resulting in improved patient management."
The company's products also allow for a variety of connectivity options
including remote viewing, archiving and synchronizing of patient images and
data, enabling practitioners to improve efficacy and workflow. The company
will showcase a range of connectivity solutions as well as highlight its
products in the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) exhibit jointly
sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy
of Ophthalmic Executives.
Related News
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced that it has received final clearance for
the acquisition of Carl Zeiss Surgical, a leading specialist in the field
of visualization systems and neuro and ENT surgery. The merger of the two
organizations will enable the company to more fully leverage its technology
portfolio and further strengthen its position as a major global supplier of
medical technology.
About Carl Zeiss Meditec
Built on an unparalleled 160-year heritage of optical innovation, Carl
Zeiss Meditec AG (International Securities Identification Number
DE000531370) is one of the world's leading eye care solutions providers.
Its product line includes systems for the diagnosis and treatment of the
four main diseases of the eye: vision defects (refraction), cataracts,
glaucoma and retinal disorders. The company has incorporated its
technological expertise into a stream of product innovations throughout the
years, from slit lamps and fundus cameras; to the Humphrey® Field
Analyzer, recognized as the global standard for glaucoma detection and
management; to its newest applications of lasers as embodied in its
leading-edge MEL 80™ refractive laser, and innovative STRATUS OCT™
device as an aid for glaucoma detection and management. Since 2005, the
company has also been present in the market for intraocular lenses and
consumables, and now covers almost the entire value chain of ophthalmic
surgery. The company is looking to continue its profitable growth in the
future. The acquisition of Carl Zeiss Surgical further supplements the
product portfolio in ophthalmic surgery and opens up additional growth
prospects in neuro and ENT surgery. Carl Zeiss Surgical is the world's
leading provider of visualization solutions in the two named fields.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is based in Jena, Germany, with subsidiaries in
Pirmasens, Germany (Carl Zeiss Meditec Systems GmbH), the USA (Carl Zeiss
Meditec Inc.), Japan (Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd.), Spain (Carl Zeiss
Meditec Iberia S.A.) and France (IOLTECH S.A., Carl Zeiss Meditec SAS). The
rapidly aging global population and other trends are expected to grow the
ophthalmic market in the long term. The company is focused on applying
innovative optical technologies to protect and enhance vision now and into
the future.
Thirty-five percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec shares are in free float. The
remaining sixty-five percent are held by Carl Zeiss, one of the world's
leading international groups engaged in the optical and opto-electronics
industry.
All Trademarks are the property of their respected owners.