ZEISS Presents the New IOLMaster 700 with SWEPT Source Biometry for Better Predictability and Optimized Workflows in Cataract Surgery

The IOLMaster® 700 with SWEPT Source Biometry™ enables physicians to identify irregular geometries of their patient’s eyes at an early stage. In addition to optical biometry, it also offers OCT imaging across the entire length of the eye. Experts believe this insight will reduce surprises in cataract treatment and achieve more reliable refractive results. The device simplifies the workflow for the implantation of toric IOLs: similar to the standard-setting IOLMaster 500, it takes a reference image of the limbal blood vessels, which allows the cylinder axis to be displayed intraoperatively in the surgical microscope as a navigational aid for the surgeon.

ZEISS presents the first device with SWEPT Source Biometry at this year's Summer Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in London: The new IOLMaster 700 allows to identify irregular geometries of the eye or insufficient fixation already during the diagnosis. Apart from optical biometry, it also offers OCT imaging across the entire length of the eye. The IOL Master 700 enables cataract surgeons to view the complete longitudinal section of the eye, from the cornea to the retina. Irregular eye geometries, for example tilting of the lens axis, are therefore easier to identify. It is expected that this will facilitate a reduction in refractive surprises.

“Thanks to its new technology platform, the new IOLMaster 700 has the potential to significantly improve the refractive results of cataract operations. ZEISS is therefore bringing about another fundamental change in biometry," says Prof. Dr. Ekkehard Fabian from the Rosenheim Eye Clinic.

Imaging of the fovea in the macula lutea also allows physicians to check for correct fixation. Compared with previous procedures, in which the measurement result was derived from an A scan curve, the image-based measurement with the IOLMaster 700 brings both physician and patient added safety, as the expected refractive outcome can be more reliably predicted.

As with the IOLMaster 500, this new device also simplifies the workflows prior to cataract surgery. The Reference Image option eliminates the need for manual pre-operative and intraoperative marking of the astigmatism axis on the patient's eye before implantation of a toric IOL, as well as the necessity of manual data transfer. Both were previously necessary for alignment of the toric lenses.

"We would like to help our customers achieve the best outcomes possible for every patient. Our IOLMaster 700 therefore enables imaging of the biometric results," says Dr. Ludwin Monz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. The crucial thing, according to Ludwin Monz, is that capturing OCT images along the entire length of the eye can save cataract surgeons and their patients from surprises later. "Up until now, even a flawless operation and a high-quality lens could have led to unsatisfactory results, if irregular eye geometries or inadequate fixation were overlooked. We believe that the IOLMaster 700 will now prevent most cases of this from happening. As a component of our ZEISS Cataract Suite markerless, the device also improves the workflow and increases efficiency during the implantation of toric lenses."

The IOLMaster 700 is fully compatible with previous versions and provides access to the database of the User Group of Laser Interference Biometry (ULIB). This database contains the lens constants of more than 270 IOL models and is based on more than 50,000 cataract operations. The unique "telecentric keratometry" allows particularly robust and reproducible measurement of the corneal surface.

The product will be available in Europe from autumn 2014, and in other countries from 2015.