Carl Zeiss Meditec Showcases New Solutions Designed to Enhance Clinical Value With Focus on Future Clinical Applications at AAO

LAS VEGAS, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 10, 2006 -- AAO Booth #2820 -- Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. will highlight its latest initiatives in support of the advancement of vision care around the world, here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting, November 11-14, 2006.

"Through scientific advancements as well as product and technology innovations, it is our goal to deliver valuable tools and services that enable clinicians to preserve and improve vision today, with a clear path for future clinical needs." said Jim Taylor, president and chief executive officer for Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.

The company will showcase its full suite of products with a focus on unique refractive laser systems, the latest technologies and products for OCT imaging, advanced glaucoma clinical analysis capabilities, and a broad spectrum of system and data connectivity solutions.

Products to be Showcased

In the refractive laser arena, the company will present the MEL 80 excimer system, as well as an advanced femtosecond laser technology. The MEL 80, which received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in August 2006 for vision correction eye surgery, provides superior outcomes for myopic patients and eliminates the need for expensive, customized wave-front guided treatment. Results from the MEL 80 clinical studies found that 93 percent of patients were corrected at three months to 20/20 or better visual acuity, and 41 percent were corrected to 20/12.5 or better at six months. Additionally, results showed that 85 percent of patients achieved within one-half of a diopter of the intended correction at three months post-operative follow-up.

Carl Zeiss Meditec has long been the innovator in optical coherence tomography, as evidenced by both the Visante® and Stratus OCT™ systems. The latest applications for these OCT platforms will be shown along with a demonstration of the most recent spectral domain OCT technologies. The Stratus OCT has emerged as the gold standard in retinal imaging for a wide array of ophthalmic conditions, offering detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, precise measurements, and clinically validated application protocols that enhance clinicians' diagnostic abilities for AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and a broad range of other retinal pathologies. Over 37,000 scans are performed daily in the United States with this revolutionary system, and the device has been used in landmark pharmaceutical trials and studies worldwide to help define end-points, as well as help titrate pharmaceutical interventions for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The recently launched Visante OCT is the first stand-alone, high resolution OCT system for the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, iris, angle and the lens. In an early-user study, authored by leading industry consultant Shareef Mahdavi of SM2 Consulting, the Visante OCT was shown to provide significant value in refractive surgery applications, as well as in cornea and glaucoma diagnoses and treatment follow-up. Customers report that this sophisticated device is easily integrated into busy clinics, and they were impressed with its ability to generate images previously unattainable in daily clinical practice.

Additional products and technologies showcased by the company offer advanced, accurate progression analysis and enhanced management of the glaucoma patient. The company will highlight its Guided Progression Analysis™ (GPA) products, expanding on the industry-leading GPA for the Humphrey® Field Analyzer with the addition of GPA tools for both the Stratus OCT and the GDx Scanning Laser Polarimeter.

"Glaucoma is the world's second leading cause of blindness and is irreversible," said Taylor. "Our goal is to provide tools to help clinicians make treatment decisions for their patients, and to help minimize healthcare expenses. It is imperative that a clinician knows whether a patient is progressing, and if so, at what rate in order to provide the most appropriate, first-level therapy or more aggressive treatment. The right progression tools can help identify these patients resulting in improved patient management."

The company's products also allow for a variety of connectivity options including remote viewing, archiving and synchronizing of patient images and data, enabling practitioners to improve efficacy and workflow. The company will showcase a range of connectivity solutions as well as highlight its products in the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) exhibit jointly sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives.

Related News

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced that it has received final clearance for the acquisition of Carl Zeiss Surgical, a leading specialist in the field of visualization systems and neuro and ENT surgery. The merger of the two organizations will enable the company to more fully leverage its technology portfolio and further strengthen its position as a major global supplier of medical technology.

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 Pirmasens, Germany (Carl Zeiss Meditec Systems GmbH), 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 sixty-five percent are held by Carl Zeiss, one of the world's leading international groups engaged in the optical and opto-electronics industry.

All Trademarks are the property of their respected owners.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Amy Cook For Carl Zeiss Meditec 925.552.7893 or 925.200.2125 Email Contact