RANZCO Congress 2023 – Exhibit hall preview

Insight shines a spotlight on products taking centre stage in the exhibit hall at the RANZCO Congress in Perth from 20-23 October 2023.

DFV providing a glimpse into the future of eyecare

Visitors to the Designs For Vision (DFV) stand can expect to see and experience the latest devices, instruments, and accessories from the distributor’s global network of specialist eyecare manufacturers including HOYA, OCULUS, iCare, DORC, Nidek, D&K Instruments, and others.

 DFV is a leading provider of diagnostic and surgical ophthalmic products in Australia and New Zealand and – taking centre stage on its exhibit – will be the new Sophi phaco machine. The system is one DFV says promises to usher in a new era of simplicity, mobility, and safety. This is the first battery driven, wireless phaco device and is equipped with a fast and responsive Triple Pump Fluidics for better control of anterior chamber stability.

 Other feaured products will include iCare’s rebound tonometers, considered the market leaders in hand-held tonometry. Delegates can also view the high-resolution TrueColor retinal images produced by the iCare EIDON Ultra-widefield fundus camera. In terms of quality anterior segment tomography, DFV will be exhibiting the OCULUS Pentacam family and its latest member, the OCULUS Pentacam AXL Wave.

Stand: 1-4

Learn more about Lumibird Medical’s premium lasers 

The Lumibird Medical (formally Ellex & Quantel Medical) stand will host demonstrations of its premium range of YAG and retinal laser systems. This includes the new Tango Reflex Neo, featuring Ellex’s second-generation Reflex technology to perform PROcap – premium refractive outcome capsulotomy. 

Additionally, delegates can speak with the company’s representatives about its comprehensive suite of diagnostic solutions that can benefit their practices today, including ABSolu, Compact Touch and the most recent release, the new generation ultrasound biometer AXIalis.

“As always, the Ellex Lumibird Medical team looks forward to re-connecting and seeing you at this year’s event and providing you with a high-quality professional learning and sales experience,” the company says.

Stand: 14-17

Rayner collaborates with Aussie ophthalmic royalty in new IOL

Rayner’s flagship IOL model, now being adopted by many surgeons in Australia and globally, is the RayOne EMV and EMV Toric.

A feature of the Rayner exhibit, the RayOne EMV is an extending range of vision IOL delivering up to 1.5 D of high-quality vision when used with an emmetropic target. Developed in collaboration with WA’s Professor Graham Barrett, Rayner says RayOne EMV’s truly non-diffractive optic utilises positive spherical aberration to uniquely extend vision whilst avoiding the problems that can arise with diffractive lenses. The IOL’s range of focus can be extended further with a customisable offset for enhanced monovision outcomes.

“For many years I have worked on optimising a lens for monovision, given that it accounts for nearly 30% of all surgeries,” Barrett says. “I collaborated with Rayner on bringing this lens to market as the RayOne EMV, an exciting new product for all surgeons looking to treat presbyopia reliably.”

Delegates can visit Rayner staff at their booth to learn more about the excellent patient outcomes this lens can provide, the company says.

Stand: 48-49

First local ophthalmology showing for dry eye platform

The Envision platform, InMode’s non-surgical, non-drug alternative to treat the cause of dry eye, will make its RANZCO Congress debut in Perth. 

Recently made available to Australian eyecare professionals, the platform’s complete suite of technologies delivers bipolar radiofrequency (RF) via its Forma-I handpiece, Lumecca-I intense pulsed light (IPL) device, and fractional RF microneedling with the MORPHEUS8, to allow for highly efficacious eyecare procedures, the company says.

A recent paper investigating transcutaneous RF-assisted meibomian gland expression using Forma-I in dry eye patients found the technology is effective, lasting at least six months in most patients. The multicentre prospective cohort study was published in The Open Ophthalmology Journal by a team of North American ophthalmic professionals and involved 47 patients across three sites.

Stand: 27

ZEISS tech elevates eye clinics

As a Platinum sponsor, ZEISS will be showcasing its innovative range of products and workflows while holding multiple customer events across the three days

Attendees can gain hands on exposure to the ZEISS portfolio and hear firsthand from subject matter experts on how they have incorporated ZEISS technology and workflows into their practice.

The ZEISS Cataract Workflow will take centre stage, highlighting the connected solutions offered by EQ Workplace, IOL Master 700, ARTEVO 800 and QUATERA 700. Attendees can also learn more about the ZEISS IOL portfolio, including the new CT LUCIA 621, a C-Loop hydrophobic IOL which it says is gaining popularity as the monofocal of choice for clinicians across ANZ.

“Our chronic disease management portfolio will focus on ZEISS’s comprehensive retina and glaucoma workplace solutions and diagnostic equipment, including CIRRUS OCT, CLARUS ultra-widefield retinal imaging and the highly anticipated launch of the ATLAS 500 corneal topographer, the latest addition to our portfolio,” ZEISS says.

“Do not forget to register for the VISUMAX 800 wet lab, and experience the femtosecond laser technology that has supported delivery of the SMILE procedure in over 8 million eyes.”

Stand: P3

Portable visual field tester a highlight on BOC booth

BOC Instruments is a well established supplier and service provider for the some  of the most reputable ophthalmic equipment, which will be exemplified by its stand at RANACO 2023. 

The product range on display will include Frey slit lamps, retinal cameras, Optovue OCTs, autorefractors, chair and stands, and innovative dry eye products.

Delegates are also urged to swing by for demonstrations with the new VF2000 NEO Virtual Reality portable visual field tester with eye tracking. BOC describes this as an evolution in visual field testing, providing “unsurpassed accuracy and efficiency at exceptional value”, which also includes many additional vision testing features.

Stand: 44-45

Experience Optos’ new image modality 

A major drawcard of the Optos booth will be its new ultra-widefield colour modality. This new image modality, optomap colour rgb (red/green/blue), is captured simultaneous to the optomap colour rg (red/green). Thus, a single capture delivers two high quality colour ultra-widefield images. As a company, Optos delivers comprehensive retinal imaging devices and evaluation tools to eyecare professionals globally. Most notably, it produces ultra-widefield optomap images of up to 82% or 200-degrees of the retina, something no other device can do in a single capture, the company says.

According to Optos, an optomap image provides a bigger picture and more clinical information, facilitating the early detection, management and effective treatment of disorders and diseases evidenced in the retina. 

“More than 2,000 published clinical studies show the long-term value of optomap imaging with OCT in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient engagement,” the company says.

“Our passion has made optomap the gold standard in eyecare and we are committed to utilising the latest technology, manufacturing new products and software that support optomap to assist eyecare professionals around the world save sight and lives.”

Stand: 136-139

Alcon product suite on full display 

Alcon is encouraging delegates to visit its booth to hear live presentations from clinical experts, experience live demonstrations and speak with the company about its innovative sustainability solutions and ophthalmic products.

These include the Clareon Autonome PC-IOL family, Centurion, ARGOS, Hydrus and more, that enhance quality of life by helping people see brilliantly, the company says.

Stand: P2

B+L showcasing pharma and surgical options 

Since the recent acquisition of AcuFocus, Bausch + Lomb (B+L) is offering the IC-8 IOL and its unique lens technology as part of the company’s comprehensive range of intraocular lenses in Australia and New Zealand. 

According to B+L, the IC-8 IOL combines the simple, proven principle of small aperture optics to extend depth of focus with the reliable quality of an aspheric monofocal IOL, allowing patients to achieve their best personal vision. 

Meanwhile, the company’s pharmaceutical business will be showing two dry eye therapies on the same stand. Namely, these are Viscotears Eye Gel, a translucent, viscous gel containing 0.2% Carbomer that provides soothing long-lasting relief for sore, gritty and dry eyes. It will also be exhibiting Viscotears Gel PF, an ophthalmic solution that has a moistening and wetting effect on the eyes. It improves the moistening of the ocular surface in the presence of dry eye sensation, burning or tiredness of the eyes.

They are available in two formulations: Viscotears Eye Gel:10g tube, and Viscotears Gel PF (preservative free): 30 x 0.6g single-dose units – both of which are PBS-listed. 

Delegates can visit the B+L booth to find out more about these products, plus more.

Stand: 28-33

What would it be like to live with geographic atrophy?

At RANZCO, Apellis is inviting delegates to visit “The G.A.llery” at its stand in the exhibition hall. This gallery style setting aims to raise awareness of the significant burden of geographic atrophy (GA) on people with the condition and its impact on daily activities and hobbies.4 As visitors view the exhibits in “The G.A.llery”, the company is encouraging them to reflect on what it would be like to live with vision impairment due to GA. 

GA is a leading cause of blindness that affects more than 5 million people globally.¹ Approximately 73,000 people are living with GA in Australia.2 GA causes progressive and irreversible vision loss, with GA lesions taking an average 2.5 years from diagnosis to encroach the fovea.3 Vision impairment from GA can lead to reduced independence and quality of life for patents living with the disease.^4,5 With no approved treatments available in Australia, this represents a significant unmet medical need in ophthalmology. 

Apellis is also hosting a breakfast symposium at 6:30am on Saturday 21 October, featuring local and international GA experts.

Stand: 114

Glaukos showcasing latest MIGS innovation 

The iStent inject W will be the focus of the Glaukos exhibit, a therapy described as the gold standard in MIGS. It’s backed by the most robust, diverse, and longest-term body of clinical evidence for any MIGS procedure, Glaukos says, and is also the number one device of its kind in terms of units sold. Optimised outflow is a major feature of the iStent inject W. The stents are multi-directional and together can deliver access to multiple collector channels and arcs of flow that can span five to six clock hours. The stents may also re-establish flow in previously dormant outflow channels.

The iStent inject W supports optimal outcomes after cataract surgery and more, including:

• Micro-invasive and astigmatically-neutral
• Utilises the conventional outflow pathway
• Leaves natural anatomy intact, preserving the potential for future treatment options, including drug delivery devices
• Minimally traumatic to delicate eye tissue and spares conjunctival tissue
• Reduces risk of hypotony by utilising the natural episcleral venous pressure
• Offers postoperative care profile similar to cataract surgery

Stand: 40-41

Learn more about Cequa for dry eye disease

Sun Pharma is attending RANZCO 2023 and showcasing Cequa (ciclosporin 900 microgram/mL). The therapy is indicated to increase tear production in patients with moderate to severe dry eye where prior use of artificial tears has not been sufficient.¹ 

According to the company, Cequa is available via private prescription and on the PBS from 1 June 2023 for patients with chronic severe dry eye disease with keratitis.² Cequa comes in a clear, colourless solution, needs to be taken twice daily, and is available in a pack of 60 ampoules containing 0.25 mL of ciclosporin 900 microgram/mL ophthalmic solution – one month supply.

Patient Starter Packs are available to help identify <3% of patients that discontinue use due to instillation site pain³ and a range of resources are available for more information. “Visit the Cequa stand at RANZCO to discuss Cequa and grab a cup of coffee on us,” the company says.

Review Product Information before prescribing available from www.ebs.tga.gov.au or Sun Pharma by calling 1800 726 229.

References

1. Cequa Approved Product Information.
2. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (https://www.pbs.gov.au)
3. Goldberg DF et al. Ophthalmology 2019; 126:1230–7.

Stand: 154-157

New data reaffirms NovaTears’ strength 

NovaTears will be a major focus of the AFT Pharmaceuticals stand at RANZCO 2023 off the back of the pivotal Phase 3 Gobi study reinforcing its effectiveness as a treatment for evaporative dry eye. 

NovaTears was first approved in Australia in 2018, and the recent Gobi study laid the foundation for FDA approval in the US earlier this year in May 2023 where it is marketed as MIEBO. From as early as two weeks, the therapy demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.

In Australia and New Zealand, AFT also supplies NovaTears + Omega-3, a variation of the original NovaTears eye drop that contains concentrated, high quality Omega-3 of plant origin to provide enhanced lubrication and protection for dry and irritated eyes.

AFT has a significant presence in the preservative dry eye space, offering a range of preservative-free options such as HYLO Forte, HYLO Fresh, and Opti-Soothe heat and eyelid wipes.

Stand: 42

Dry eye focus for CSL Seqirus 

The CSL Seqirus eyecare portfolio includes Cationorm (cationic nanoemulsion) and Ikervis (ciclosporin 0.1% ophthalmic emulsion).

Eighty six percent of people living with dry eye have mixed or evaporative dry eye disease (DED).^1,2 Cationorm is a preservative-free, hydrating, and lubricating emulsion targeting all layers of the tear film.^3-5 Compatible with all types of contact lenses, Cationorm is designed to be long-lasting, creating a barrier to lock in moisture, giving the eyes the time they need to heal.^3-6

Ikervis is a once-daily ciclosporin delivered in a cationic emulsion,^7,8 designed for long-term treatment.⁹ Ikervis is indicated for the treatment of severe keratitis in adults with DED that has not improved with artificial tears.⁷ 

For more information including results of recent real world studies visit www.eyehealth.com.au. Contact 1800 642 865 or aunz.medicalinformation@seqirus.com for more information. 

PBS INFORMATION: Cationorm Multi Dose (10mL). Authority Required (STREAMLINED) 6172. Refer to PBS Schedule for full authority information. Cationorm (30 x 0.4mL) is not listed on the PBS.
Minimum Product Information for Ikervis available here, and PBS information here. Review the Product Information before prescribing. 

References

1. Craig JP, Nelson JD, Azar DT, Belmonte C, Bron AJ, Chauhan SK, et al. TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(4):802-12.
2. Lemp MA, Crews La Fau – Bron AJ, Bron Aj Fau – Foulks GN, Foulks Gn Fau – Sullivan BD, Sullivan BD. Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study. 2012(1536-4798 (Electronic)).
3. Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods – Public Summary Seqirus PTY LTD – Lubricant, eye. Available from: https://www.pbs.gov.au/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/psd/2020-07/files/cationic-opthalmic-emulsion-psd-july-2020.docx
4. Lallemand F, Daull P, Benita S, Buggage R, Garrigue JS. Successfully improving ocular drug delivery using the cationic nanoemulsion, novasorb. J Drug Deliv. 2012;2012:604204.
5. Daull P, Lallemand F, Garrigue JS. Benefits of cetalkonium chloride cationic oil-in-water nanoemulsions for topical ophthalmic drug delivery. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014;66(4):531-41.
6. Robert PY, Cochener B, Amrane M, Ismail D, Garrigue JS, Pisella PJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of a cationic emulsion in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye disease: a randomized controlled study. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2016;26(6):546-55.
7. Ikervis Approved Product Information.
8. Baudouin C, Figueiredo FC, Messmer EM, Ismail D, Amrane M, Garrigue JS, et al. A randomized study of the efficacy and safety of 0.1% cyclosporine A cationic emulsion in treatment of moderate to severe dry eye. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2017;27(5):520-30.
9. Geerling G, Hamada S, Trocme S, Raeder S, Chen X, Fassari C, et al. Real-World Effectiveness, Tolerability and Safety of Cyclosporine A 0.1% Cationic Emulsion in Severe Keratitis and Dry Eye Treatment. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022;11(3):1101-17.

Stand: 140-143

Visit OptiMed for latest in OCT and lasers

On display at the OptiMed exhibit will be the REVO FC fully automated high resolution fundus camera and OCT. This single, high-tech device enables eyecare professionals to capture colour images, and high definition OCT scans with up to 130,000 A scans per second. The advanced optical system ensures high quality imaging at a 45-degree viewing angle. The Structure and Function algorithms of REVO OCT help predict visual field loss and when combined with the new Automated Perimeter PTS, users have a comprehensive analysis suite at their fingertips for glaucoma investigation and treatment resources.

 “User friendly with a small footprint, the versatile REVO FC gives you the option of adding further modules like OCT-Angiography, OCT-Biometry, OCT-Topography and IOL Calculator at point-of-purchase or in the future. Fully automated, safe and easy-to-use, the REVO FC meets all requirements for modern optical tomographs,” OptiMed says.

Also on display will be the Vision-R 800, Essilor’s phoropter “reinventing prescription to 0.01D”, and the Norlase Leaf and Lion instruments, described as the world’s only fibreless green lasers that minimise maintenance and maximise space.

Stand: 18-20

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