Alcon Acquires Leading Ocular Surgical Guidance Technology to Better Improve Patient Outcomes in Cataract Surgery – Alcon, the global leader in eye care, announced today the acquisition of the ophthalmic division of SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI), a private company based in Berlin, Germany. The acquisition provides Alcon with leading ocular surgical guidance technology, such as real-time eye tracking, automatic registration of ocular imaging, and intraocular lens (IOL) positioning and alignment guidance, in order to help improve patient outcomes in cataract surgery.
Alcon plans to integrate the newly acquired ocular surgical guidance technology into its existing global cataract portfolio. Alcon offers the industry’s most complete line of surgical products for cataract surgery, including equipment for cataract procedures, as well as IOLs to treat cataracts and correct refractive errors, like presbyopia and astigmatism.
“This acquisition further strengthens Alcon’s position in the cataract surgery market with an expansion into leading ocular tracking technology,” said Sabri Markabi, Senior Vice President, Research and Development at Alcon. “The state-of-the-art guidance technology provides surgeons with customization options and automated solutions, enabling optimal outcomes for their cataract patients including underlying refractive conditions.”
“We are dedicated to providing innovative technologies to surgeons in the operating room to deliver superior cataract surgery outcomes and experience for their patients,” added Laurent Attias, Head of Global Commercial Strategy at Alcon. We will integrate the newly acquired guidance systems into our current cataract portfolio, and plan to bring the benefits of these ophthalmic technologies to surgeons worldwide.”
Cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. They affect over 240 million people globally and are widespread among people 55 and older. A cataract develops when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, inhibiting light from entering the eye. The only treatment option for a cataract patient is to have surgery to replace the lens.