Thumbnail article _ 1200x675_ZEISS MEL 90 Excimer Laser Gets FDA Nod For Myopia, Hyperopia, and Mixed Astigmatism

ZEISS MEL 90 Excimer Laser Gets FDA Nod For Myopia, Hyperopia and Mixed Astigmatism

The first major US approval for ZEISS in 2025 furthers its bid for laser vision correction dominance.

ZEISS Medical Technology (a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG; Jena, Germany) laser vision correction users in the United States got another reason to SMILE (pun intended) today as the company announced the FDA approval of its MEL 90 Excimer Laser for myopia, hyperopia and mixed astigmatism.

According to the company, MEL 90 integrates fully into its current Corneal Refractive Workflow, including the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro. 

ZEISS has stated that the MEL 90 will help streamline clinical workflows and improve the business case of the ZEISS refractive ecosystem for users in a world where laser vision correction uptake is steadily increasing. 

“The increasing global adoption of laser vision correction reflects the advancements and positive impact the technology continues to have on the quality of life for patients,” Magnus Reibenspiess, head of Strategic Business Unit Ophthalmology at ZEISS Medical Technology, said in a press release. 

“With the integration of the ZEISS MEL 90, surgeons can confidently care for their patients with greater workflow efficiency and performance with enhanced outcomes.”

MEL 90’s key improvements

ZEISS has pointed to three key areas that set MEL 90 apart from other excimer lasers: improved consistency in surgical outcomes, ablation speed and ease of use.

One of the key innovations with MEL 90, Triple-A (Advanced Ablation Algorithm), allows for a single ablation profile for a range of sphero-cylindrical (SCA) corrections. 

Along with its customizable power package, which has been demonstrated to allow for 1 diopter ablation in 1.3 seconds at 500Hz, ZEISS believes MEL 90 offers key upgrades in accuracy, reproducibility and predictability for improved and stable outcomes in the surgical planning and execution process. 

A 3D visualization of MEL 90. courtesy of ZEISS Medical Technology.

ZEISS has also touted a variety of quality-of-life improvements in MEL 90, including multiple touchscreens (optional) and PDF export integration. 

Surgeons in the United States like Dr. John Doane (Discover Vision Centers; Kansas City, USA) are taking notice of the impact this new excimer laser could have on the current refractive surgery landscape.  

“The FDA approval of the ZEISS MEL 90 excimer laser is a game changer for refractive surgery in the U.S,” Dr. Doane said in a statement. “This advanced technology, with its Triple-A ablation algorithm and fast ablation speed, sets a new benchmark for precision, safety and efficiency.

Dr. Doane also praised the laser’s improvements in interconnectivity and efficiency. “The integration of the ZEISS MEL 90 with the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser opens new doors for streamlined workflows and optimal patient outcomes. This approval marks an exciting chapter for surgeons and patients alike.”

Market impact

As the company’s first major news item in 2025, the ZEISS MEL 90’s FDA approval reflects its commitment to remaining a market leader in the premium corneal refractive surgery space. 

The design of MEL 90’s functionalities also reflect a dominant trend towards interconnectivity and digitalization in premium ophthalmic surgery—and one that ZEISS clearly plans on paving the way towards. 

“ZEISS continues to break new ground as a leader in the LVC market, reflecting our ongoing commitment to and support of U.S. surgeons and patients with the latest refractive innovation that helps set practices apart and provides more options to more patients,” Andrew Chang, head of Global Sales at ZEISS, said. 

“With the availability of the ZEISS MEL 90 in the U.S. market, surgeons can now offer an integrated workflow of refractive technology to help reach new patients and provide excellent outcomes for them.”

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