Carl Zeiss Meditec and IMRA America cooperate on laser vision correction technology

Jena, Germany and Ann Arbor, MI--Medical company Carl Zeiss Meditec announced that it planned to launch the newly developed VisuMax system for laser keratome applications in the second half of 2007. The VisuMax uses a femtosecond fiber laser developed by IMRA America, a U.S. research and development company owned by Aisin Seiki (Kariya City, Japan).

Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most common procedure for surgical vision correction. The procedure consists of two main surgical steps, the initial cut of a corneal lamella, the so-called flap, and the subsequent excimer laser ablation, the actual correction of the refractive error. The global installed base of excimer lasers is estimated at more than 5,000 units.

Carl Zeiss Meditec received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market the laser keratome applications of its VisuMax femtosecond laser system at the end of last year.

"We are very pleased with Carl Zeiss Meditec's vote of confidence in IMRA and take this trust seriously," stated Takashi Omitsu, President of IMRA. "With the backing of our parent company, Aisin, and with our proven track record of providing high-quality lasers based upon our patented and proprietary technologies, we feel ready to meet the challenges and help CZM meet their goals in this exciting market area."

For more information, visit www.imra.com/.