SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions installs the 1,000 th eye laser Continued success for the state-of-the-art laser systems, which are used for correcting visual defects Kleinostheim, March 2012 The next few days will see the installation of the thousandth SCHWIND laser system for the treatment of visual defects, the 750S. In reaching the number one thousand, we have achieved yet another milestone in the history of our company. This is a great motivation for us to continue to expand our strong market position, commented CEO Rolf Schwind. The very first SCHWIND laser was delivered to South Korea in 1992. Today, the sixth generation of lasers enjoys high popularity across the globe: laser systems from the SCHWIND AMARIS product range have been installed worldwide, with the exception of the USA. In the business year 2010/2011 alone, over 100 lasers were sold. Depending on the selected features, a clinic or eye surgeon can invest up to 500,000 in the premium segment lasers of the product range and the corresponding diagnostic systems. The Bavarian-based, family-owned company sets great store by a continuous quality offensive in a market characterised by multinational, predominantly listed providers. And not without success: according to a recent survey conducted by the market researching company Market Scope, excluding the US market, SCHWIND achieved a 34% global market share in laser sales in 2011. According to estimates by Market Scope, there are currently approximately 4,000 excimer lasers from various manufacturers in operation for the correction of visual defects in Asia, Australia, Europe, Central and Latin America.
Page 2 A pioneer in refractive surgery SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions is one of the pioneers of refractive surgery, in other words eye surgery, which change the total refraction of the eye and thus replace conventional optical correction measures such as glasses or contact lenses. Founded in 1958 and having started out as a complete provider for ophthalmologists, the 1990s saw the company start up its second sector: the development, production and sale of eye lasers for correcting visual defects. The first eye surgery with the first laser generation SCHWIND KERATOM was performed in 1992. In 1994, the company was the first supplier in the world to introduce a passive eye-tracking system as a standard feature. Since 1999, SCHWIND has been focusing its complete expertise and all of its resources on laser eye surgery. Milestones include the development of unique corneal wavefront method which can be used to detect and smooth out smallest irregularities of the cornea. With the introduction of corneal thickness measurements (online pachymetry) as standard as a decisive safety factor in laser treatment, SCHWIND has made headlines as a pioneer. The TotalTech Laser has been a technology leader since its introduction in 2007 and has impressed as a continuous pacesetter. 2009 heralded the integration of the world s first six-dimensional eye tracking system, which actively compensates all possible eye movements. 2010 saw the market launch of the flagship 750S, which reduces the treatment to just 1.5 seconds per dioptre at a pulse frequency of 750 Hertz. Since the beginning of 2012, the product range has been offering the latest technology for the treatment of presbyopia in the form of the PresbyMAX µ- Monovision. The procedure ensures excellent visual acuity at all distances and provides quick and high patient satisfaction.
Page 3 Comprehensive clinical studies A new high-tech laser from SCHWIND is the fruit of over three years research and development performed in order to make the tailor-made hardware with highlydeveloped software programs ready for its market launch. In a research and technology-intensive medical engineering company such as SCHWIND, the new development and further development of trendsetting software solutions plays a key role. Above all, they guide the treatment planning. When it comes down to it, verification and validation ensure that every requirement is precisely realised. A sustainable risk management system throughout the entire development process ensures a high level of safety for the patient and surgeon alike. Prior to the approval, ophthalmic surgeons verify whether the new laser generation optimally satisfies the requirements of the clinical practice. In addition, comprehensive clinical studies are also conducted. Throughout its complete life cycle, the latest laser generation is continually optimised in close cooperation with the users. SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH & Co. KG with its headquarters in Kleinostheim near Aschaffenburg develops, produces and sells a comprehensive, highly-developed product portfolio for the treatment of ametropia and corneal diseases. The portfolio includes high-tech laser systems, diagnostic systems, innovative software for individual treatment planning and a highly accurate microkeratome. The company employs a highly motivated team of 96 experts and is represented with its products in more than 70 countries in Germany with its own sales organisation and abroad via distribution partners. Customers include eye surgeons in ophthalmology practices, laser clinics and university hospitals. Contact: SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH & Co.KG Antje Splittdorf, e-mail: antje.splittdorf@eye-tech.net
Page 4 SCHWIND KERATOM SCHWIND KERATOM MULTISCAN Product generations SCHWIND laser systems
Page 5 First Treatment with a SCHWIND Laser New President and CEO Rolf Schwind Focus on Refractive Corneal Surgery First Generation KERATOM Mask Band) Second Generation Keratom II Mask Band) Third Generation KERATOM F Fractal Mask System) Fourth Generation KERATOM Multiscan Fractal Mask System) Fifth Generation (Excimer Laser; Scanning Spot) Myopia Treatment First Passive Eye Tracker Aspheric Profiles Active Eye Tracker 200 Hz Pulse Rate 0.8 mm Beam Size Hyperopia Treatment 300 Hz Eye Tracker 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 BERLIN SUPRATOME Four Awards for Expertise in Therapeutic Corneal Surgery Introduction SmartTech Nanosecond Laser Worldwide 1,000 SCHWIND Laser Systems sold Scanning/Flying Spot Sixth Generation (Excimer Laser; Flying Spot) 500 Hz Pulse Rate Product Family Product Family 330 Hz Eye Tracking Corneal Wavefront Ocular Wavefront Aspheric Profiles Presby-CAM Treatment Online Pachymetry 0.54 mm Spot Size 1050 Hz Eye Tracking 5D Eye Tracking PresbyMAX Treatment PALK-CAM Treatment 6D Eye Tracking AMARIS 750S 750 Hz Pulse Rate AMARIS 500E 500 Hz Pulse Rate Asymmetric Centration Strategy PresbyMAX µ-monovision ClippedPALK Treatment Aspheric PTK Treatment Corneal Crosslinking 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Diagnostic Software Thin Flap LASIK Artificial Chamber SCHWIND milestones in refractive corneal surgery from 1992 to 2012