Z8 Platforms - The Benchmark in Pediatric Cataract Surgery Technology
- August 22, 2025
When it comes to pediatric cataract surgery, Ziemer is making its mark. Our Z8 platforms are the only CE marked femtosecond lasers approved for pediatric cataract procedures, giving surgeons a unique, market-leading solution for the smallest and most delicate patients.
Pediatric cataracts are rare but serious, affecting only 3–4 out of every 10,000 children worldwide. Without timely treatment, they can cause irreversible vision loss. Early surgery is essential, as a child’s visual system is still developing, making every day without clear vision critical to long-term outcomes.
Unlike adult cataract cases, pediatric surgery comes with unique challenges, such as:
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Highly elastic lens capsules that require exact control to prevent tears and achieve the intended opening size
- The need to protect delicate zonules and achieve perfect capsulotomy centration
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The need for primary posterior capsulotomy due to increased occurrence of posterior capsule opacification in young children, to avoid secondary surgery and prevent amblyopia development
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Patients with special needs or comorbidities
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Surgery under general anesthesia in a completely sterile operating room, with the goal of minimizing anesthesia time
Why our Z8 Stands Out in Pediatric Cataract Surgery
Most femtosecond lasers cannot be placed inside the sterile OR, requiring inconvenient, and in pediatric cases, risky, patient transfers. The Z8’s mobility allows it to be positioned right next to the patient, enabling surgery in full sterility without moving the child. This saves valuable minutes under anesthesia and ensures the safest possible surgical environment. At the same time, its low-energy, high-frequency laser technology is designed to be exceptionally gentle on the eye, promoting smooth healing, and providing a more comfortable recovery experience.
Validated Surgery Outcomes
Prof. Marie-José Tassignon and colleagues confirmed in a prospective study that the Z8’s low-energy approach is safe and reliable in children, enabling precise, reproducible capsulotomies with no laser-related complications1. Supporting this, the largest published study on pediatric cataracts with the Z8 (51 eyes) demonstrated its ability to achieve perfectly centered, round, and reproducible capsulotomies while reducing manual steps and potentially lowering complication risks2.
With its precision, mobility, and safety, Ziemer’s Z8 platforms ensure that even the most vulnerable patients benefit from the highest standards in modern eye surgery.
1.Van Os L, De Backer I, Taal M, Tassignon M-J. Prospective case series of low-energy femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in pediatric patients. J Clin Med. 2025 Mar21;14(7):2138. doi: 10.3390/jcm14072138. PMID: 40217590; PMCID: PMC11989571.
2.Trifanenkova IG, Tereshchenko AV, Isaev SV. Femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsulotomy in children undergoing cataract surgery: a large case series. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2022 May;7(1):e000945. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000945. PMID: 36161832; PMCID: PMC9121473.
