BUSINESS WIRE
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
OptiMedica
Corp. has announced that Prof. Burkhard Dick, chairman and head of
the University Eye Clinic Bochum in Germany, has become the first
ophthalmic surgeon in Europe to treat patients with its Catalys
Precision Laser System for cataract surgery. The CE mark approved
Catalys combines a femtosecond laser, integrated Optical Coherence
Tomography (OCT) imaging and OptiMedica's breakthrough pattern scanning
technology in an ergonomic, easy-to-use system that brings new levels of
precision and accuracy to the cataract procedure.
"We are thrilled that patients in Europe are now being treated with
Catalys," said Mark J. Forchette, OptiMedica president and chief
executive officer. "We welcome Prof. Dick's collaboration and are proud
to know that his patients are now benefiting from the unparalleled
precision that Catalys provides."
Prof. Dick has been using Catalys to perform laser capsulotomy and lens
fragmentation on patients. Findings published in the peer-reviewed
publications Journal
of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and Science Translational
Medicine have demonstrated the system's ability to deliver
industry-leading improvement in precision and accuracy across these
steps.(1,2)
"I have been very impressed with how quickly patients have embraced
Catalys, and how easily and rapidly I've been able to integrate the
technology into my practice," said Prof. Dick. "The precision and
accuracy are obvious, and patients are clearly benefitting from the
enhanced performance that the system provides. I also have been
pleasantly surprised by how the lens softening patterns have resulted in
such a significant reduction in the amount of ultrasound energy needed
to remove even hard lenses. I am convinced that Catalys laser treatment
is the new standard in cataract surgery."
Prof. Dick is a new member of OptiMedica's global Medical
Advisory Board, a group of cataract experts who have worked closely
with the company to develop Catalys and continue to work on advances in
cataract surgery. He brings to the team his deep knowledge and
experience as a leading international ophthalmic surgeon as well as a
strategic scientific relationship with the Ruhr University Bochum, where
he will collaborate with OptiMedica on further cataract research.
OptiMedica's
Catalys Precision Laser System is not for sale in the United States.
About OptiMedica
OptiMedica Corp. is a Silicon Valley-based global ophthalmic device
company dedicated to developing performance-driven technologies that
improve patient outcomes. Exclusively focused in the cataract
therapeutic area, the company has developed the Catalys Precision Laser
System to deliver unparalleled precision in cataract surgery through
image-guided pre-operative lens conditioning. Founded in 2004 and
headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., OptiMedica's legacy of innovation
in ophthalmology also includes the development and commercialization of
the PASCAL(R) Method of retinal photocoagulation, which was
acquired by Topcon Corp. in August 2010. The company is funded by
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Alloy Ventures, DAG Ventures,
BlackRock Private Equity Partners and Bio*One Capital. For more
information, please visit
www.optimedica.com .