Ophthalmology continues to benefit from advances in technology and developing product designs aimed at improved patient outcomes. Current trends in cataract surgery are leading surgeons toward smaller incisions while the profit potential of adding retina and glaucoma to cataract services also warrants consideration. If you weren't at the recent meetings of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons or the American Academy of Ophthalmology, here's what you may have missed.

— Elethia Charoo, RN, BSN, MBA

Advanced Medical Optics
Tecnis 1-Piece IOL
(714) 247-8200
www.amo-inc.com
List price: not disclosed
The Tecnis 1-Piece IOL reduces spherical aberration to near zero and improves night vision. Its design combines the ProTec 360-degree edge with an uninterrupted barrier edge to minimize cell migration onto the posterior capsule. Unlike earlier one-piece lenses, the latest Tecnis IOL has no interruption at the haptic-optic junction, says the company.

Alcon Laboratories
Triesence Injectable Triamcinolone Suspension
(800) 862-5266
www.alcon.com
List price: $124 per vial
This new, injectible, synthetic corticosteroid suspension was specifically developed for retinal inflammation. Triesence is free of preservatives, one of the many etiologies associated with TASS. Triamcinolone is indicated for visualization during vitrectomy and treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids, says Alcon.

Alcon Laboratories
Intrepid Micro-Coaxial Fluidic Management System
(800) 862-5266
www.alcon.com
List price: $289
Alcon's Micro-Coaxial System promises a complete solution for surgeons transitioning to phaco through micro-incisions. The manufacturer says this system enhances fluidics with its improved chamber stability and reduced post-occlusion surge, and predicts safe and efficient cataract procedures through 2.2mm and 2.4mm incisions without having to alter normal surgical technique.

American Optisurgical
Vizual Phaco System
(800) 576-1266
www.optisurgical.com
List price: $22,500
The portable Vizual system performs irrigation, multi-modulation phaco, micro-phaco, burst mode, irrigation and aspiration, anterior vitrectomy and bipolar coagulation. It has a foldable LCD screen, touchscreen controls and a lightweight four-crystal handpiece. Options include an automated IV pole and reusable or disposable tubing.

Bausch & Lomb Storz Instruments
Soft I/A Tip
(800) 338-2020
www.storz.com
List price: not disclosed
These new I/A tips feature a silicone covering that creates a soft barrier between the aspiration port and the intraocular structures. The barrier keeps the metallic port from contacting the capsule and reduces the possibility of breaking the posterior capsule. It can also be used to gently scrub the capsular bag, remove cortex from the capsular fornices and manipulate an IOL in place during viscoelastic removal, says the company.

BD Medical
Atomic Edge Safety Knife
(201) 847-6800
www.bd.com
List price: not disclosed
The Atomic Edge is a single-use safety knife with a silicon blade. It features a sharp blade on a specially designed, non-autoclavable handle with a retractable shield, says the company. Single-use simplifies sharps management by eliminating the re-sharpening and maintenance that diamond knives require. Double-bevel design helps with vertical penetration. Available in two sizes: 2.8mm and 3.0mm.

Carl Zeiss Meditec
OPMI Lumera Surgical Microscope
(925) 557-4100
www.meditec.zeiss.com/lumera
List price: not disclosed
Ideal for both anterior and posterior visualization, the OPMI Lumera features new red reflex technology and is equipped with stereo coaxial illumination to provide high-detail recognition, high-contrast brilliance and stability of the red reflex, even in strongly pigmented, de-centered and ametropic eyes, says the company. The integrated video screen of the OPMI Lumera T improves workflow by letting staff anticipate the next steps of a case.

DRE Medical
DRE Om2100 Ophthalmic Microscope
(502) 244-4444
www.dremed.com
List price: not disclosed
Compact and easy to position, this microscope features motorized zoom and focus, a new light source, fiber optic cable and a portable four-wheel base, says DRE Medical. Other features include a 65mm interchangeable objective lens, fiber optic illumination, inclined binoculars, Mark II light source and tray, an observation kit and beam splitter. Focus and zoom are controlled with a foot pedal for hands-free operation.

Katena Products
Stolte IOL Cutter
(973) 989-1600
www.katena.com
List price: not disclosed
The Stolte IOL Cutter is designed to capture, hold and bisect soft IOLs quickly and safely, says the company. Surgeons push the IOL against the concave well and use the cutter's dual-pronged tip to hold it in place before a thin slotted plate slides forward to keep the lens from buckling, sliding or vaulting.

Topcon Medical Systems
OMS-710 Operation Microscope
(800) 223-1130
www.topconmedical.com
List price: not disclosed
The OMS-710 microscope features newly designed optics to minimize flare and provide excellent color and contrast while increasing the depth of field and supplying a superior red reflex. A color temperature filter enhances visibility and provides a more natural color tone. This model is 27-percent lighter than its predecessors, with a compact footprint that fits easily into most operating environments, says Topcon.