New Product Focus: Platform yields optical quality

A new, state-of-the-art wide-angle fundus imaging system (RESIGHT, Carl Zeiss Meditec) offers vitreoretinal surgeons advantages of unsurpassed optical quality along with improved workflow efficiency and patient safety.

The recently introduced platform is compatible with advanced-generation surgical microscopes (Lumera T and Lumera 700, Carl Zeiss Meditec) in addition to another surgical microscope (OPMI VISU/S88, Carl Zeiss Meditec).

"This new wide-angle fundus imaging system represents a significant evolution in vitreoretinal surgical image quality, efficiency, and convenience," said Allen C. Ho, MD, of Mid Atlantic Retina, and professor of ophthalmology, Wills Eye Institute.

Optical quality

"Equipped with our permanent lenses, the [fundus imaging system] provides surgeons with the best possible optical quality and eliminates any need for them to accept the compromises that accompany use of systems integrating disposable lenses," said James Carter, vice president, ophthalmic surgical sales, Carl Zeiss Meditec.

"With competitor systems, the microscope lens itself moves up and down when the focus is adjusted, but that type of operation has a number of drawbacks. Most importantly, it presents a safety issue because if the lens is moved too far downward, it can actually touch the eye. Even when that risk is avoided, bringing the lens in close proximity to the eye can result in condensation on the lens, and if the lens is retracted too far, there is compromise of the viewing angle inside the eye," Dr. Ho said.

The variable lens within the internal focusing system can be adjusted manually, but as an added efficiency advantage, surgeons can also use a wireless foot control. This feature adds to efficiency because the surgeon can continue to hold the instruments within the operating field, according to Dr. Ho.

Revolving lens holder

Another feature of the new fundus imaging system is a revolving lens holder that carries the 60-D fundus imaging lens and the 127-D wide-angle lens. Switching between these lenses is accomplished with a simple flip of the lens holder, eliminating any interruption in the case from having to change the lens.

"Switching between the 127-D and 60-D fundus imaging lens is intuitive, as is focusing the system," Dr. Ho said. "I typically demand a contact lens for macular work such as internal limiting membrane peeling, but the magnified view and depth of focus of the 60-D lens may obviate the need for a contact lens."

Further enhancing workflow efficiency is the presence of an automated inverter (Invertertube E/MediLive Trio Eye) that will simultaneously invert the image for the main surgeon, the assistant surgeon, and on the viewing monitor in the operating room.

"The inverting mechanism is simple and elegant and is an immediate attraction of this system," Dr. Ho said. "This feature is particularly helpful to us at Wills Eye Institute where we often have more than one fellow assistant or trainee in surgical training."

Since the permanent lenses are resterilizable rather than disposable, there are also cost savings to customers. In experience to date, the lenses have retained their original pristine appearance after more than 350 sterilization procedures.

"The exact longevity of the lenses is unknown because this is a relatively new product, but we can say with confidence that they have a considerably long lifespan," Carter added.