Bausch + Lomb's SeeLyra femtosecond laser earns European CE mark

Bausch + Lomb Corporation has received CE mark approval from European regulators last week for SeeLyra, its next-generation femtosecond laser platform designed for laser-assisted preparation in premium cataract, LASIK flap creation, and corneal therapeutic procedures. According to a company announcement, SeeLyra is among the most compact platforms of its type currently available and incorporates live swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) for real-time intraoperative imaging.¹

SeeLyra's compact design and live OCT imaging

For cataract surgeons practicing in space-constrained operating environments, the regulatory clearance signals the availability of a platform that combines established femtosecond functionality with a reduced physical footprint—a practical consideration as premium cataract volumes continue to grow across European markets.

According to the Bausch + Lomb press release, SeeLyra integrates live swept source OCT that provides continuous depth visualization throughout the procedure, intended to reduce variability during patient docking and enable precise positioning and visual control during laser application. The company states that the system retains key features from its predecessor, the VICTUS femtosecond laser platform, including an intuitive user interface and support for cataract, LASIK flap, and corneal therapeutic applications.

Bausch + Lomb designed the platform without a fixed patient bed, which the company reports allows flexible positioning and transport within the operating room, as well as compatibility with existing bed configurations. An articulating swing arm is included to accommodate varied surgical orientations. Bausch + Lomb describes the design as eliminating the need for patients to transfer between beds during procedures.

"Premium surgery success begins with precise surgical preparation of the eye," said José Manuel Larrosa, MD, of the University of Zaragoza, Spain, in the company statement. "SeeLyra will help me to achieve this consistently on my terms, while fitting seamlessly and efficiently into our OR space and workflow."¹

Clinical and regulatory context

The multicenter Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Trial (FACT; ISRCTN77602616), a 785-patient UK National Institute for Health Research–funded trial, found FLACS noninferior to standard phacoemulsification at 3 months, with comparable refractive accuracy between arms and no significant differences in visual outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, or safety.²

The femtosecond laser is also established in LASIK flap creation, where it has largely supplanted mechanical microkeratomes due to its reproducibility and improved flap uniformity.³ Integration of intraoperative OCT into surgical platforms has been an area of growing interest, with real-time imaging increasingly recognized as a tool that can alter surgical decision-making in both anterior and posterior segment procedures.⁴

Luc Bonnefoy, president of the Surgical division at Bausch + Lomb, noted in the press release that the company has more than 15 years of experience in the femtocataract laser segment, and described SeeLyra as intended to provide "enhanced functionality and greater flexibility to the OR."¹

Availability and regulatory scope

Bausch + Lomb reports that SeeLyra will become available in Europe on a limited basis in the months following the CE mark approval, with broader commercial availability expected in 2027. The company states it is pursuing regulatory approvals in additional markets globally, including the United States.

No clinical trial data specific to SeeLyra—including outcomes related to visual acuity, adverse events, or head-to-head comparisons with other femtosecond platforms appeared in the company's announcement. Independent clinical evaluation of the platform's performance characteristics will be necessary to contextualize its role relative to existing systems.

References
1. Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Bausch + Lomb announces European CE mark approval of SeeLyra™ femtosecond laser. Business Wire. September 11, 2026. Accessed September 11, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260910556346/en/Bausch-Lomb-Announces-European-CE-Mark-Approval-of-SeeLyra-Femtosecond-Laser
2. Day AC, Burr JM, Bennett K, et al. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FACT): a randomized noninferiority trial. Ophthalmology. 2020;127(8):1012–1019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.02.028
3. Kezirian GM, Stonecipher KG. Comparison of the IntraLase femtosecond laser and mechanical keratomes for laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2004;30(4):804–811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2003.10.026
4. Ehlers JP, Goshe J, Dupps WJ, et al. Determination of feasibility and utility of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography during ophthalmic surgery. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015;133(10):1124–1132. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.2376