Industry News

Photographs courtesy of Andrea Leonardi, Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, Orthoptic and Assistant in Ophthalmology School, University of Padua, Italy.

FDA APPROVAL FOR VERKAZIA

The US FDA approved Santen’s Verkazia™ for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and adults. Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, 0.1%) is indicated for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and adults.

VERITAS LAUNCH

Johnson & Johnson announced the global availability of the VERITAS Vision System during the 2021 in-person annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). Features of the phacoemulsification system include Hybrid Fluidics Technology to minimise post-occlusion surge and provide chamber stability, and Intelligent Occlusion Sensing Technologies that automatically respond to occlusions, the company reports. The system is built on the WHITESTAR Technology platform and also includes significant ergonomic improvements.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SCHWIND INNOVATION AWARD

SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions received a “SME Innovation Award” following a survey by the independent Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien (DtGV). SCHWIND achieved success in one of the most innovative fields of investigation, healthcare, and lifesaving, securing a top spot among the top 10% of SMEs in its industry. The company scored particularly well due to granted patents for its SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser.

EYEHANCE IN EUROPE

The TECNIS Eyhance Toric II IOL with TECNIS Simplicity Delivery System from Johnson & Johnson is now available in Europe. The lens and delivery system provide treatment for cataract patients with astigmatism. The technology provides good distance vision as well as better intermediate vision than what conventional monofocal IOLs provide, the company says.

RAYNER CHANGES HANDS

CVC Capital Partners VIII acquired a majority stake in UK-based Rayner, a leading manufacturer and developer of IOLs and associated pharmaceuticals, from private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners. Rayner, which developed the world’s first IOL in 1949, now makes IOLs and other products available to about 300,000 patients in more than 80 countries through its subsidiaries and distribution networks.

LENSAR DEMONSTRATES NEW CATARACT SYSTEM

Also at the annual ASCRS meeting in Las Vegas in 2021, LENSAR hosted in-person demonstrations of its next-generation femtosecond laser ALLY™ Adaptive Cataract Treatment System. LENSAR expects to submit a 510(k) application for regulatory clearance of ALLY in the first quarter of 2022, with a commercial launch planned for later in 2022.