The latest generation of Zeiss femtosecond lasers offer rapid treatment, more flexibility, and major workflow upgrades for surgically treating nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism

Carl Zeiss

A product shot of VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss. (Credit: PR Newswire/ Carl Zeiss Meditec AG)

Zeiss Medical Technology of Carl Zeiss Meditec has received the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss.

The latest generation of Zeiss femtosecond lasers has been cleared by the US FDA for surgically treating nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism.

VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro is said to offer rapid treatment, more flexibility, and major workflow upgrades to refractive surgeons in the US.

Using its fast laser pulse repetition rate of 2 MHz, the system creates the lenticule in less than 10 seconds, Carl Zeiss claimed.

In addition, the reduced procedure time can lower stress for surgeons and their patients.

The Zeiss femtosecond laser also offers the surgeon and patient more flexibility with a lower footprint and compatibility with a range of patient beds.

The German medical technology firm said that the laser adapts to the clinical environment to deliver advanced technology without compromising quality.

Zeiss Medical Technology digital business unit head and ophthalmology strategic business unit president Euan Thomson said: “Zeiss continues to set itself apart in the US market with the availability of the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss, providing the latest digital technology from the company’s legacy of innovation to meet the evolving needs of refractive surgeons.

“As part of the Zeiss Medical Ecosystem, this next-generation femtosecond laser system creates data-driven insights to help surgeons manage better treatment paths for patients while supporting each surgeon’s unique practice requirements for greater workflow efficiency and performance.”

The VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss now comes with several workflow enhancements in the US.

These include the CentraLign centration aid, a computer-controlled function for easy centration and the OcuLign cyclotorsion adjustment to help counteract any potential cyclotorsion.

Zeiss femtosecond lasers now also incorporate VISULYZE user nomograms, which offer detailed nomograms and give surgeons more control during every surgery.

In December last year, Carl Zeiss Meditec agreed to buy Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) (DORC) for €985m.