China's First Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys Precision Laser System Officially Launched in Ningbo, Enhancing Cataract Care

Ningbo, Zhejiang, April 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Johnson & Johnson Vision "Catalys" femtosecond laser system was officially launched at Ningbo Eye Hospital, where three femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgeries were successfully performed via live broadcast. The formal deployment of this innovative system will further promote high-quality development in the field of cataract treatment in China, benefiting more patients with cataracts.

Johnson & Johnson AMO "Catalys" Femtosecond Laser System Launch Ceremony

Professor Chen Wei, President of Ningbo Eye Hospital, stated, “The Johnson & Johnson AMO ‘Catalys’ femtosecond laser system enables personalized settings based on each patient’s specific conditions, offering greater precision and safety. It transforms surgeries that previously relied on physicians’ individual experience into standardized procedures, significantly enhancing surgical quality and efficiency. This allows patients in China to benefit from internationally leading medical equipment without having to travel abroad.”

Cataracts are currently the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In China, the prevalence of cataracts among individuals aged 60 to 89 is approximately 80%, with a growing trend toward younger onset. Surgery remains the only scientifically proven treatment for cataracts. In recent years, cataract surgery has evolved from merely restoring basic vision postoperatively (“seeing after surgery”) to achieving clear, high-quality vision (“seeing clearly after surgery”), marking the era of refractive cataract surgery designed to meet patients’ increasingly demanding visual health needs. As a globally advanced femtosecond laser treatment system, the “Catalys LenSx” delivers high accuracy and precision, thereby providing patients with superior postoperative outcomes.

Professor Qu Jia, President of the Eye Hospital Group of Wenzhou Medical University, stated, “Since 2018, the ‘pilot and demonstration’ initiatives under Hainan Boao’s ‘Nine National Policies’ have been accelerated, introducing a series of globally innovative medical devices urgently needed in clinical practice. Ophthalmology is among the earliest and most successful disciplines in this field. Through real-world data studies, the introduction and application of innovative foreign equipment have been further expedited, holding significant implications for patients and their families, the industry, and society as a whole. On this occasion, Ningbo Eye Hospital has become the first hospital in China to introduce femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery technology and related medical devices. This achievement not only reflects the hospital’s accelerated leadership in innovative development in recent years but also showcases Ningbo, an international port city, with its open and innovative urban image.”

Under the guidance of Professor Chen Wei, the team successfully performed three cases of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery today. The entire surgical procedure was broadcast live for observation by industry peers and streamed nationwide online. Using the Catalys system, the surgical team created personalized, blade-free femtosecond laser corneal incisions, performed a perfectly circular and centered anterior capsulotomy leveraging the system’s superior laser precision, fragmented and emulsified the lens nucleus for removal, and finally implanted an extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens to provide patients with continuous vision across all distances.

“We are delighted to witness the official launch of China’s first ‘Catalys’ femtosecond laser system, which has successfully completed three cataract surgeries. From receiving approval for ‘pilot implementation’ to performing the first real-world study surgery, and from final regulatory approval to clinical deployment, the ‘Catalys’ system took only 17 months. This rapid progress was made possible by national policies that support and encourage the accelerated introduction of global innovative products and technologies,” said Wang Liping, Vice President of Johnson & Johnson Vision for Greater China, Australia, and New Zealand. “Johnson & Johnson Vision remains committed to improving eye health, helping people see more clearly, communicate more effectively, and live better lives. Innovation supports the Healthy China initiative. In the future, we will continue to introduce cutting-edge global innovations in products and technologies to contribute to the building of a Healthy China.”

Shui Liming, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Yinzhou District Health Bureau in Ningbo City, stated: “After more than thirty years of development, Ningbo Eye Hospital has evolved into a Grade 3B public ophthalmic hospital with regional advantages. In recent years, building on its clinical strengths, the hospital has made significant strides in teaching and research, accelerating its comprehensive development. Meanwhile, leveraging its geographical, policy, disciplinary, and operational advantages, Ningbo Eye Hospital is working alongside ophthalmology professionals to promote high-quality development of eye care services, strive to meet the people’s growing needs for eye health, and advance the national cause of eye health.”

“Catalys” was introduced into China in November 2019 through the “pilot and trial” policy of the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. Professor Chen Wei presided over the first surgery of the real-world clinical data study project on femtosecond laser-assisted cataract treatment using “Catalys” at Boao Super Hospital. In January this year, “Catalys” officially received registration approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), becoming the first large-scale medical device approved for registration based on real-world data studies conducted in Boao. In the future, Johnson & Johnson Vision will continue to deepen cooperation with all parties to empower the rapid development of femtosecond laser cataract surgery in China, better meeting the urgent personalized and diverse eye health needs of domestic patients.