Carl Zeiss Meditec Announces FDA Clearance to Market VISUMAX Femtosecond Laser System

DUBLIN, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 18, 2007 -- Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. (CZM) reported that it has received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market the laser keratome applications of its VISUMAX femtosecond laser system. The company had previously projected that this clearance would be granted in the second half of 2007, and the more rapid achievement of this process is an important and welcomed milestone for the company.

The VISUMAX system is designed to provide smooth and precise flap cutting capabilities for refractive laser surgery. This technology, combined with CZM's MEL 80 excimer laser, delivers excellent clinical outcomes coupled with the potential for a unique optimized work flow for refractive surgeons and improved comfort for their patients. Using a unique pivoting patient bed and an integrated data management system, the refractive surgeon will be able to complete a full refractive procedure without the need to move the patient or to perform redundant data entries. Alternatively, either platform may be used separately and/or in conjunction with other laser systems, but without the full system integration benefits.

Both MEL 80 and VISUMAX technologies were recently displayed and demonstrated at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in Las Vegas. The MEL 80 is an advanced refractive laser system that has been marketed outside the U.S. since 2002. The MEL 80 recently gained FDA clearance for sale in the U.S., and the related clinical trials showed that 93 percent of patients were corrected to 20/20 or better visual acuity, with 41 percent achieving 20/12.5 or better at six months. With the subsequent FDA clearance of the VISUMAX femtosecond platform, the company is now positioned to more fully exploit the technology advantages and clinical benefits of its full refractive laser portfolio.

A commercial launch of the femtosecond technology is planned for mid-2007. In the interim, the company will continue ongoing clinical evaluations for the recently approved laser keratome applications. The company has also recently demonstrated the unique potential of the VISUMAX technology to perform a complete "all in one" refractive correction procedure, and clinical testing will be continued for that application as well.

"We believe that the field of refractive laser surgery offers significant opportunity for the type of technology innovation that Zeiss has pursued throughout our 160 year history," said Jim Taylor, president and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. "Since our initial disclosure of the clinical progress of our femtosecond system, we have been gratified by the enthusiastic encouragement and support that we have received from experienced refractive surgeons around the world. They recognize the inherent potentials in these advances along with the significant benefits that will emerge for patients and for clinicians who expect and require the most advanced refractive correction technologies and techniques."

"The apparent advantages of the VISUMAX system are not limited to those normally recognized for a femtosecond laser flap cut," stated Walter Sekundo, MD, of the University of Mainz, Germany. "Due to the special design of the contact glass and the low IOP increase, the perfusion of the central retinal artery has not been impaired, and our patients were able to see the fixation light throughout the procedure. Moreover, the VISUMAX provides a new level of cutting accuracy for corneal incisions, as evidenced by the results of our successful demonstration of the so-called Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction procedures."

"In my opinion," Sekundo continued, "these features contributed significantly to our excellent visual acuity results of up to 20/10 one day post-op, and we saw no incidence of transient light sensitivity syndrome (TLSS) or DLK in any of the study group patients."

The MEL 80 and the VISUMAX systems will be available for demonstration at the upcoming American Academy of Refractive and Cataract Surgery (ASCRS) in San Diego, California, April 27 - May 1, 2007, and the European Society of Refractive and Cataract Surgery (ESCRS) in Stockholm, Sweden September 8 - 12, 2007.

About Carl Zeiss Meditec

Built on an unparalleled 160-year heritage of optical innovation, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (International Securities Identification Number DE000531370) is one of the world's leading eye care solutions providers.

Its product line includes systems for the diagnosis and treatment of the four main diseases of the eye: vision defects (refraction), cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disorders. The company has incorporated its technological expertise into a stream of product innovations throughout the years, from slit lamps and fundus cameras; to the Humphrey® Field Analyzer, recognized as the global standard for glaucoma detection and management; to its newest applications of lasers as embodied in its leading-edge MEL 80™ refractive laser; and innovative STRATUS OCT™ device as an aid for glaucoma detection and management. Since 2005, the company has also been present in the market for intraocular lenses and consumables, and now covers almost the entire value chain of ophthalmic surgery. The company is looking to continue its profitable growth in the future. The acquisition of Carl Zeiss Surgical further supplements the product portfolio in ophthalmic surgery and opens up additional growth prospects in neuro and ENT surgery. Carl Zeiss Surgical is the world's leading provider of visualization solutions in the two named fields.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is based in Jena, Germany, with subsidiaries in the USA (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.), Japan (Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd.), Spain (Carl Zeiss Meditec Iberia S.A.) and France (IOLTECH S.A., Carl Zeiss Meditec SAS). The rapidly aging global population and other trends are expected to grow the ophthalmic market in the long term. The company is focused on applying innovative optical technologies to protect and enhance vision now and into the future.

Thirty-five percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec shares are in free float. The remaining 65 percent are held by Carl Zeiss, one of the world's leading international groups engaged in the optical and opto-electronics industry.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Jackie Ferreira Email Contact 925.557.4488