ZEISS Debuts DORC EVA NEXUS Cataract System at ESCRS Congress 2026

ZEISS Medical Technology has launched a dedicated cataract-only configuration of the DORC EVA NEXUS ophthalmic surgical system. This specialized architecture provides optimized fluid dynamics and intraocular pressure management for anterior segment procedures, specifically targeting the requirements of cataract surgeons.

Programmable Fluidics and Anterior Chamber Stability
The newly configured surgical system integrates directly into the broader ZEISS Cataract Workflow. It introduces a cataract grade selection module featuring up to four programmable presets. This allows surgical teams to define optimized phacoemulsification, aspiration, and irrigation parameters tailored to specific procedural stages and individual cataract densities. Surgeons can seamlessly activate these customized settings using the digital interface or a wireless Dual Linear footswitch. The programmable footswitch enables independent manipulation of ultrasound and aspiration functions, granting refined manual control during complex lens extraction. The platform debuts at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) congress in London, with initial availability in select European markets scheduled for September 2026.

Intraocular Pressure Regulation and Fluidics Engineering
Fluidic performance is managed by the VacuFlow VTi technology, which utilizes Valve Timing Intelligence to produce precise, pulsation-free fluid flow or rapid, responsive vacuum force depending on surgical demand. To maintain anterior chamber stability, the system incorporates SMART IOP technology. This automated regulatory mechanism dynamically compensates for pressure losses in the ocular environment, delivering continuous, stable intraocular pressure. Engineering data demonstrates that SMART IOP provides lower anterior chamber pressure and up to 73 percent higher responsiveness during post-occlusion breaks, mitigating sudden pressure drops.

Phacoemulsification Hardware and Operational Efficiency
Lens fragmentation is facilitated by the compact DORC EVA SURE TOUCH phaco handpiece paired with the DORC EVA EQUIPHACO series of high-performance tips. These tips feature color-coded fitted sleeves engineered to maintain superior chamber stability and maximize ultrasound efficiency during the emulsification process. “ZEISS’ advanced technology is redefining how cataract surgeons can operate in the OR, designed for streamlined performance, stability and control, supporting surgical decisions and procedural precision,” says Dr. Dominik Beck, Head of Posterior Surgery Business Sector at ZEISS Medical Technology. Confirming the operational impact, Dr. Marcus Drodofsky, a cataract surgeon at Augenärzte Osnabrück, states, “My staff and I feel more in control during surgery, which contributes to an improved patient experience and surgical outcomes.”

Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement

Within the ophthalmic surgical market, the DORC EVA NEXUS competes directly with advanced active-fluidics platforms such as the Alcon Centurion Vision System and the Bausch + Lomb Stellaris Elite. While the Bausch + Lomb Stellaris Elite relies heavily on a high-efficiency vacuum-based fluidics pump system, both the DORC EVA NEXUS and the Alcon Centurion emphasize active, sensor-driven intraocular pressure (IOP) regulation. The Alcon Centurion utilizes an Active Sentry handpiece containing an integrated pressure sensor that detects real-time fluctuations and automatically adjusts fluid infusion to reduce occlusion break surge. Similarly, the DORC EVA NEXUS employs its SMART IOP algorithm combined with the dual-mode VacuFlow VTi pump to actively monitor and stabilize anterior chamber pressure. Clinical evaluations of active fluidics systems demonstrate that platforms utilizing automated pressure compensation require lower overall ultrasound time and reduced fluid aspiration volumes to complete cataract removal compared to traditional gravity-fed or purely venturi-based systems. By operating at lower, more physiological IOP levels, these active systems minimize corneal endothelial trauma and improve volumetric stability in the anterior chamber during high-vacuum crystalline lens extraction.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI.

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