The NAVILAS laser system, as reported on in the OTE Digest back in May this year ( What is Retinal Navigation? ) has been given FDA approval.

The new navigated laser system incorporates advanced imaging with retinal laser therapy in a planned and controlled way using image registration in one device with integrated workflow to improve the safety, accuracy, speed, comfort and transparency of retina laser photocoagulation which is the current standard in the treatment of many retinal disorders including Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

NAVILAS is designed to allow doctors to move beyond conventional slit lamp based photocoagulation that provides only a partial slit image of the retina. The system produces a live image of the fundus in true color, IR and red-free as well as fluorescien angiography (FA) with 50 degree field of view on a monitor - panable across the fundus. The patented imaging technology is capable of real-time imaging of the retina in color - both mydratic and non-mydratic - while including a treatment laser to treat the retina.

“In trials, initial accuracy results with NAVILAS indicate a microaneurysm hit rate of 92% as evidenced by post treatment color overlay photographs,” reported Dr William Freeman, Professor and Director of the Jacobs Retina Centreat the UCSD Shiley Eye Centre in California, during his presentation at Retina Subspecialty Day of the AAO 2009 in San Francisco.

With NAVILAS, doctors have freedom of neck movement and are able to adjust their height and proximity to the patient for maximum ergonomic benefits. "The neck and back strain of slit lamp examination will be greatly reduced," said Dr. Michael Ober, Retina Consultants of Michigan, Southfield Michigan.

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