All-new Alcon Unity vitreoretinal and cataract systems approved in Australia

Alcon has revealed its “highly anticipated” Unity Vitreoretinal Cataract System [VCS] and Unity Cataract System [CS] have been included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and notified to the WAND database in New Zealand.

These innovations are the first to be introduced from the company’s all-new Unity portfolio, and were shown to selected surgeons at the RANZCO Congress in Adelaide in early November 2024.

Unity VCS and Unity CS are designed to deliver enhanced workflow efficiencies over Alcon’s current systems, Constellation Vision System for vitreoretinal and combined procedures, and Centurion Vision System with Active Sentry for cataract surgery.

Unity VCS is described as Alcon’s “most advanced vitreoretinal and cataract surgical innovations” combined in one integrated platform. The system provides surgeons and technicians the benefits of maximised operating room space within one device, the company said.

It also includes optional laser indicated for photocoagulation, iridotomy and trabeculoplasty procedures.

Meanwhile, Unity CS is a standalone cataract system for phaco and cataract removal.

According to Alcon, Unity VCS and Unity CS leverage a novel phacoemulsification modality to deliver up to two times faster nucleus removal^{^} with 40% less energy* into the eye.¹

For vitreoretinal surgeons, the new technology offers cutting speeds of up to 30,000 cuts per minute.^#2 The platform offers surgical stability and efficiency with “a unique proprietary fluidics system”.³

More details on these and innovations to its instrumentation and consumables will be available at launch some time in 2025.

Alcon has tested Unity VCS and Unity CS during investigational advisory wet lab sessions with more than 200 highly experienced surgeons from 30+ countries, including several Australian ophthalmologists.

“At Alcon, we have a long legacy of involving our customers throughout the research and development process to deliver bold innovation in ophthalmology, and we would like to thank those who helped us arrive at [this] milestone,” said Mr Franck Leveiller, Alcon’s head of global R&D and chief scientific officer.

“We are excited to introduce the next-generation of equipment solutions and consumables – in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery – and deliver meaningful impact for eyecare professionals and patients.”

Worldwide, there will be an estimated 31 million cataract surgeries in 2024, and that number is expected to increase to 37 million by 2029.⁴ There will be approximately 2.2 million vitrectomy procedures in 2024 across the globe.⁵

Alcon said it recognised that the increasing demand necessitates enhanced workflow efficiencies and improved patient outcomes.

“We are excited to announce that our latest breakthrough technologies, Unity VCS and Unity CS, have received regulatory approval in Australia and New Zealand,” said Ms Penny Stewart, Alcon ANZ’s cluster franchise head of surgical and country manager.

“Unity VCS and Unity CS build on Alcon’s expertise in surgical equipment with pioneering innovations for vitreoretinal and cataract surgery – driving advancements from cutting speeds to fluidics management, to ergonomics and workflow. We are looking forward to continuing to gather real-world user experiences before we introduce these technologies in 2025.”

Unity VCS and Unity CS are the latest innovations from the Alcon Vision Suite – a product portfolio designed to help eyecare professionals increase clinic and operating room efficiency, and deliver exceptional patient experiences.

“The Alcon Vision Suite will continue to grow with cutting-edge Unity products that are expected to be introduced over the coming years, adding to our market-leading legacy products, which will continue to be available and serviceable,” Alcon stated.

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