Alcon Announces Breakthrough Cataract Surgery Innovations During ESCRS

Internationally leading eye care company and subsidiary of Novartis, Alcon, revealed novel surgery innovations during the XXXIII European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Congress (ESCRS) in Barcelona, Spain, which ran between September 4^th-9^th, 2015. Alcon was featured in more than 15 sponsored medical sessions and 24 supported peer-reviewed presentations at the congress.

Alcon unveiled several surgical innovations to complement its extensive line of intraocular lenses (IOLs), refractive cataract surgical equipment and pharmaceutical solutions, all of which are ready to launch across several countries in Europe:

AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® presbyopia-correcting IOL – a trifocal IOL addressing near, intermediate, and distance vision for patients suffering from cataracts and presbyopia.
UltraSert™ Delivery System preloaded with the AcrySof^® IQ Aspheric IOL – a single-use injector designed to facilitate smooth, consistent delivery of the AcrySof^® IQ Aspheric IOL, Alcon’s leading monofocal IOL, while maintaining the integrity of the incision to limit wound stretch.
diagnostic ORA System^® with VerifEye+™ Technology – a state of the art technology, integral to Alcon’s Cataract Refractive Suite allowing surgeons to evaluate refractive findings, refine IOL power, cylinder power, and IOL alignment in real time, to provide improved refractive outcomes in cataract surgery.

“Alcon is encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback eye care surgeons have provided after using these new products. We are extremely proud to deliver technologies to meet the needs of cataract and refractive surgeons” said Franck Leveiller, Alcon Surgical Head of Research & Development. “As the leader in eye care, we have an unparalleled commitment to accelerate innovation. By developing improved IOLs and equipment to help with visualization, navigation, and guidance to optimize cataract surgery; we are improving the outcomes of cataract patients.”

Omeros Corporation a company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing small-molecule and protein therapeutics, recently announced that the EMA (European Medicines Agency) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) provided a favourable opinion on the company’s drug candidate Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac injection) 1%/0.3%.

Omidria contains the mydriatic (pupil-dilating) agent phenylephrine together with the anti-inflammatory agent ketorolac and was developed for use during cataract or other IOL replacement surgery to preserve mydriasis (pupil dilation), reduce eye pain following surgery and prevent miosis (pupil constriction).