ICL implantation hits 300,000 mark

Monrovia, CA-More than 300,000 proprietary implantable contact lenses (ICLs) of collagen-copolymer material (Visian Implantable Collamer Lens, STAAR Surgical Co.) have been implanted in patients around the world. More than 75,000 have been the toric version of these lenses, approved in all major markets in the world, with the exception of the United States.

The company’s ICLs have been used in refractive eye surgery since 1994 as an alternative to LASIK to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The lens has increased in popularity over the past year, according to Barry G. Caldwell, president and chief executive officer of STAAR Surgical, because “truly innovative technologies” have been introduced to improve visual results and comfort for the patient and simplify the implantation procedure for the surgeon.

Hans Blickensdoerfer, president of Europe, Middle East, and Latin America for the company, said that in the fourth quarter of 2011, the company launched a version of the ICL and a toric model (V4c) with the company’s latest design change (CentraFLOW technology using the KS-AquaPORT), which makes YAG peripheral iridotomy days before lens implantation unnecessary, according to the company.

“The Asia Pacific markets represented 55% of STAAR’s revenues during 2011, and we are working to gain key regulatory approvals for the [toric] ICL in our markets during 2012,” said Don Todd, president of Asia Pacific for the company.

During the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the company asked “key surgeons” to evaluate the ergonomics and lens delivery of the fifth version of the ICL’s preloaded injector system, which is designed to save operating time, be easier to use, and result in consistent delivery of the ICL.

“This will be another key step in the ongoing evolution of the ICL technology, and we look forward to making this available to our customers,” Todd added.

Shipments of a proprietary collagen-copolymer aspheric IOL (nanoFLEX) began late last year in Europe, Blickensdoerfer said, and the toric version of that lens should be available during the second quarter of this year.

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