Zeiss Medical Technology today announced that its MEL 90 excimer laser has won FDA approval. The decision gives the laser technology simultaneous approval for all three major indications, including myopia, hyperopia and mixed astigmatism, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced in a press release.

Advantages of the MEL 90 include fast ablation speed, reliable results and ease of use, the company said. When performing LASIK for myopia at 500 Hz, the ZEISS MEL 90 can intra-operatively ablate 1 diopter in as little as 1.3 seconds, according to Zeiss’s data. An intuitive system guidance and speedy treatment planning allow for additional time savings, and the active eye tracker delivers an “excellent” response time, providing a high level of treatment safety with “very stable results.”

The system’s intuitive graphic user interface supports fast treatment procedures, and a touch screen can be flexibly positioned wherever it is needed to enable the surgeon to have good ergonomic sitting posture throughout the procedure. A second, optional touch screen can be configured to optimally complement the treatment routine of the OR team. An HD video port, network printer connection, and PDF export capabilities offer additional workflow support, according to Zeiss.

"The FDA approval of the ZEISS MEL 90 excimer laser is a game changer for refractive surgery in the U.S.,” said Dr. John Doane, refractive surgeon at Discover Vision Centers, Kansas City, MO, in the press release. “This advanced technology, with its Triple-A ablation algorithm and fast ablation speed, sets a new benchmark for precision, safety, and efficiency. I am particularly impressed by the system's ability to simplify treatment planning while delivering highly predictable and tissue-conserving results. The integration of the ZEISS MEL 90 with the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser opens new doors for streamlined workflows and optimal patient outcomes."