BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Bausch + Lomb, the leading global eye health company, today announced the U.S. introduction of BLIS™ (Bausch + Lomb Injector System), designed exclusively for use with the enVista® glistening-free, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). BLIS, complete with a reusable hand piece and single-use cartridge, allows surgeons safe, controlled delivery of the enVista IOL through unenlarged phaco incisions as small as 2.2 mm.
“BLIS is easy to use and provides predictable, controllable delivery and placement of enVista,” said Baseer Khan, M.D., FRCSC. “I’ve found BLIS facilitates smooth loading as well as an effortless delivery of the lens. The design of the cartridge also enhances the insertion of the IOL in comparison to other technologies on the market. This device lives up to its name and is a welcome addition in my practice.”
BLIS was developed with the input from surgeons around the world with the ultimate goal of securely and accurately implanting the enVista IOL while minimizing mis hand ling, loading errors and damage to the lens. The reusable hand piece is made of high-quality, titanium material designed for both reliability and comfort for the surgeon and staff. In addition, the proprietary disposable cartridge is designed for easy lens loading, easy wound entry and smooth delivery of enVista.
“With the addition of BLIS, Bausch + Lomb is proud to provide surgeons with a full system intended specifically for enVista implantation,” said Cal Roberts, Chief Medical Officer, Bausch + Lomb. “This new injector will help surgeons and their staff provide exceptional IOL technology to their cataract patients, helping them see better to live better.”
The enVista hydrophobic acrylic IOL is the first and only FDA-approved IOL in the U.S. with labeling that states: “No glistenings of any grade were reported for any subject at any visit in the clinical study”.1-2 Glistenings are fluid-filled microvacuoles that can form within an IOL, and are common in some hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. They cause a portion of the light coming into the eye to be scattered in all directions, and have been shown to have a negative impact on visual acuity.3 Additionally, the enVista lens is designed to minimize Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO), a common post-surgical complication with IOLs that cause vision to become clouded post-surgery.
BLIS received Health Canada approval in August 2013 and CE Mark approval on October 2013. Additional approvals are pending worldwide.
About Cataract Surgery
According to the World Health Organization, there are about 100 million people in the world today who are 80 years old or older. That number is expected to almost quadruple by 2050. Aging is the leading cause of eye diseases, such as cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens in the eye. It also happens to be the leading cause of blindness in the world. According to the U.S. National Eye Institute, cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common and effective surgical procedures. Worldwide, over 20 million cataract surgeries are performed annually. Cataract surgery is a simple procedure during which the natural lens in the patient's eye is surgically replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL).
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people’s eyesight. Our core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. We globally develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry, which are available in more than 100 countries.
REFERENCES
- Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Data on file, 2009.
- Tetz. ASCRS. 2009.
- Christiansen G, et al. Glistenings in the AcrySof intraocular lens: pilot study. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2001;27:728-33