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Focus on Microkeratomes

The Amadeus is a gearless microkeratome that comes pre-assembled. According to AMO, it has an extra level of safety because its titanium construction is stronger than stainless steel and allows fewer bacteria to adhere to the keratome.

"The Amadeus has wonderful adjustments," says Eric Donnenfeld, M.D. "You can change the translation speed, the oscillation speed and the hinge width."

Dr. Donnenfeld adds that the Amadeus' 120-µm and 140-µm heads produce the most reliable outcomes.

Phone: (800) 366-6554
Web: www.amo-inc.com

The M2 microkeratome features two independent electric motors. One motor controls the blade oscillation while the other controls the translation (the blade makes a 3-second pass).

The M2 lets you create a hinge in any quadrant and direction. Having 360º hinge placement is useful when a patient has an astigmatic axis, scarring, pannus, pterygium or dry eyes.

In addition, the M2 has variable cutting speeds and a "one touch" locking system for improved safety.

Phone: (800) 441-1314
Web: www.moriausa.com

The BD K-4000 features a backlit liquid-crystal display with automated self-diagnostic testing and monitored blade revolutions. The titanium-constructed handpiece has dual Swiss motors that stop oscillation and retract the head at the end of the procedure.

The BD K-4000 comes with a 2-year warranty on all parts and workmanship.

Phone: (800) 237-2174
Web: www.bd.com/ophthalmology

As the name suggests, the IntraLase FemtoSecond (FS) Laser uses a laser to create the flap -- it requires no blade.

The IntraLase FS produces flap thicknesses from 100 µm to 200+ µm, with an accuracy of ±10 µm.

IntraLase offers this laser microkeratome with a variety of financing options, from ownership to all-inclusive rental programs.

Phone: (877) 393-2020
Web: www.intralase.com

The MK-2000 Keratome System is nondisposable; it includes a console, footswitch, two blade holders, two suction rings, a tonometer, 20 blades, a wrench, a Chayet Flap Marker and safety wedge tips. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Safety features include manual tonometry reading through the suction ring. Also, oscillation only takes place when the blade is moving forward and making the cut; it stops during the return.

The one-handed operation of the MK-2000 -- and its low-profile design -- make it easy to use, says Nidek. The company adds that dual-port suction shortens suction time, helping to reduce patient discomfort.

Phone: (510) 226-5700
Web: www.nidek.com

The Carriazo-Pendular from Schwind eye-tech-solutions has a blade oscillation of up to 15,000 rotations per minute. (The blade doesn't oscillate during head retraction, after you make the cut.)

Moreover, the Carriazo-Pendular has a patented ball-shaped, one-piece cutting head that protects the center of the cornea during the procedure. "Bilateral cutting head support produces a constant flap thickness and reproducible, precise cut," adds the company.

The Carriazo-Pendular is undergoing the FDA-approval process. Schwind expects the microkeratome to be available to U.S. doctors this year by late summer.

Phone: +49-(0)6027-508-0
Web: www.eye-tech-solutions.com

The Hansatome Excellus includes three zero compression heads (160 µm, 180 µm and 200 µm); two eye adapters; two suction handles; two 19-mm micro-suction rings (8.5 mm and 9.5 mm); two 20-mm standard suction rings (8.5 mm and 9.5 mm); one motor; one blade-handling pin; and the power supply.

Assembling the Hansatome is a three-step process. However, Bausch & Lomb states that fewer variables complicate the procedure because you don't need to program the control unit. In addition, the zero compression heads feature a receiving chamber with a flatter inner radius, minimizing flap compression and reducing epithelial defects.

Finally, the micro suction rings make it possible to treat patients with small eyes while maintaining a con-sistent suction level throughout the procedure.

Phone: (800) 338-2020
Web: www.bausch.com

More Products & Services

Rhein Medical says its incision gauges provide accurate information about the pre-op and post-op incision result.

INCISION GAUGES

Rhein Medical's incision gauges are shaped like a fan, designed to enable a surgeon to test the width of a phaco incision. They start at a width of 2.5 mm and increase to 4.0 mm, in 100-µm increments. They're available as a single unit.

Rhein Medical
Phone: (800) 637-4346
Web: www.rheinmedical.com

VIDEO JOURNAL

Robert H. Osher, M.D., publishes the Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery four times a year.

Dr. Osher published the third issue of the journal in September 2002; the issue's theme was an update on refractive surgery. The fourth issue of the journal, published in December, features award-winning videos produced by surgeons at the Cincinnati Eye Institute.

The journal is available on videotape, CD-ROM and DVD. For more information, contact Gay Earlywine at the Cincinnati Eye Institute.

Robert H. Osher, M.D.
Fax: (513) 936-4881
E-mail: gearlywine@cincinnatieye.com

The Olympia, a portable magnification system, can connect to a television, increasing magnification up to 76 times.

LOW VISION ASSISTANCE

To help low vision sufferers, Telesensory has developed the Olympia, a handheld device that magnifies reading material, checks, letters, prescriptions, food labels and pictures up to 26 times their original size.

The Olympia features a tilted screen, glare reduction and adjust-able brightness capabilities. More-over, the device lets users view information in three modes: Full color; negative mode with white letters on a black background for high contrast; or positive mode with black letters on a white background, for maximum clarity.

Telesensory
Phone: (800) 804-8004
Web: www.telesensory.com

Chalam Surgical Lenses are available in 15º Prism SSV for off-axis fundus viewing; Flat SSV for fundus viewing; and HighMag 1.5x SSV, also for fundus viewing.

SURGICAL LENSES

Volk Optical's new line of Chalam Surgical Lenses are direct view -- eliminating the need for a reinverter -- and feature the self-stabilizing (SSV) design.

K.V. Chalam, M.D., says he participated in developing the lenses because he wanted to facilitate more efficient 25-gauge surgery. "I find these lenses reduce operating time by negating the need for sutures," he explains, "and they allow you to work without an assistant."

Volk
Phone: (800) 345-8655
Web: www.volk.com

Natural Ophthalmics describes its point-of-sale display as the "icon of natural eye care."

HOMEOPATHY

Start-up company Natural Ophthalmics is offering products that "stimulate and support the body's self-healing capabilities."

The company was founded by Brian Banks, a former general manager at Similasan, and Edward Kondrut, M.D., an ophthalmologist and licensed homeopathic physician. Dr. Kondrut has developed 12 homeopathic eye drops, seven phytonutrient combinations and several protocols for micro-current stimulation and detoxification. The treatments target the most common conditions presented in eye doctors' offices.

Natural Ophthalmics
Phone: (877) 220-9710
Web: www.natoph.com

HRT II COURSES

Heidelberg Engineering is offering two courses. The first, Image Acquisition and Quality, teaches doctors, photographers and technicians how to evaluate Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT II) image quality and reliability, with procedures for optimal image acquisition. The second course, Advanced Data Analysis, briefs doctors and senior technicians on interpretation of analysis tools such as Moorfields regression analysis, stereometric parameters, topographic change analysis and retinal nerve fiber layer measurements.

Dates and locations include:

• June 12: Cleveland (Advanced Data Analysis only)
• June 14: New York
• Sept. 25: Albany, N.Y. (Advanced Data Analysis only)
• Sept. 27: Boston
• Nov. 6: Durham, N.C. (Advanced Data Analysis only)
• Nov. 8: Dania, Fla. OM

Heidelberg
Phone: (800) 931-2230
Web: HeidelbergEngineering.com