Device Technologies Jared Prinsloo and Diego Sonderegger with Dr Albie Covello at RANZCO NZ 2021

Taking advantage of the opportunity to actually talk to ophthalmologists face-to-face, Device Technologies’ Diego Sonderegger said he was delighted to finally discuss Swiss-based Oertli’s extremely lightweight surgical platform, the Catarhex 3, at the 2021 RANZCO NZ meeting.

Weighing in at just 5kg, the portable phaco and vitrectomy system is now the system of choice for well-known outreach ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit in his battle against preventable blindness in the Himalayas, made famous by the 2012 documentary Out of the Darkness. The device is geared towards mobility and portability without making any compromises on performance, said Sonderegger. “Easyphaco technology ensures safe and efficient emulsification, while the HF capsulotomy tip has made capsulorhexis incredibly easy. A compressor has been integrated for anterior vitrectomy and in glaucoma surgery, the HFDS application ensures excellent long-term results.” It makes particular sense for travelling ophthalmologists who have to share practices or theatres in more remote locations with other health disciplines, he said.