By Robb M. Stewart


Bausch + Lomb Corp. and biomedical laser firm Modulight Oyj said Wednesday that U.S. regulators approved their ML6710i photodynamic laser for use with the eye-health company's photodynamic therapy, Visudyne.

The companies said the ML6710i photodynamic laser is expected to be available for eyecare professionals to use in combination with the Visudyne photodynamic therapy during the first half of this year, now that it has approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The combined therapy would be indicated for the treatment of patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, or the creation of abnormal choroidal blood vessels, due to age-related macular degeneration, the companies said.

ML6710i is a transportable ophthalmic laser that is controlled from an iPad mobile application, the companies said. The laser's beam shaping unit, which can be fit into common slit lamps used for eye examinations, is formed into a circular, uniform spot to enable efficient treatment delivery of Visudyne.

Visudyne is an injectable photosensitizer drug that is indicated for the treatment of patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis.


Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-01-23 0757ET