Capsulaser

What Capsulaser does

Capsulaser, operating through its corporate parent EXCEL-LENS, Inc. (Tracy, California), develops and manufactures the CAPSULaser Selective Laser Capsulotomy (SLC) device, a microscope-mounted continuous-wave laser system for performing anterior capsulotomies during cataract surgery. The proprietary Dye-Enhanced Laser-Tissue Interaction method uses trypan blue-stained anterior capsule tissue to absorb continuous laser energy, producing 100% free-floating capsulotomies in under one-third of a second with elastic rims reported 1.46x stronger than manual capsulorhexis in cadaver-eye studies. An integrated product portfolio surrounds the device: CAPSULBlue (the only trypan blue approved for use with CAPSULaser), CAPSULVisc 2%/3% sodium-hyaluronate OVDs, and CAPSULGel HPMC coupling gel for the patient interface lens.

The company sells and distributes a hardware capital equipment system paired with recurring consumables to ophthalmic surgeons performing cataract extraction, refractive lens exchange, and pediatric cataract surgery. CE Marks are held for CAPSULBlue (2017), CAPSULLaser (2018), and CAPSULVisc/CAPSULGel (2018); the facility is ISO 13485:2016 certified and FDA-registered, but the device is not yet approved for US use. Commercial reach extends across Europe (direct sales) and Australia/New Zealand (exclusive distributor Device Technologies), with India entered in 2024 via AIOC conference presence. Go-to-market is event-driven, relying heavily on ESCRS, ASCRS, and AIOC exhibits, peer-reviewed clinical publications, and surgeon thought-leader advocacy rather than broad marketing spend.

The company is privately held, founder-led by David Mordaunt PhD DSc, employs 1–10 people, and has disclosed a single ~$4.5M funding round (July 2021). Business model economics rest on capital equipment placement (CAPSULLaser hardware) plus a recurring consumable stream through CAPSULBlue dye and OVDs.

Name

Capsulaser

Legal name

EXCEL-LENS, Inc.

Website

https://capsulaser.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Capsulaser (EXCEL-LENS, Inc.) develops the CAPSULaser Selective Laser Capsulotomy device and配套 CAPSULBlue trypan blue dye, plus CAPSULVisc OVDs and CAPSULGel, selling to ophthalmic surgeons across Europe and Australia/New Zealand while awaiting US regulatory approval.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Surgical Devices

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics) (HLAHAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance) (HLAHAJAG)

Keywords

• Laser capsulotomy devices
• Cataract surgery equipment
• Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices
• Intraocular surgical dyes
• Selective laser capsulotomy

Headquarters

HQ city

Livermore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CAPSULaser Hardware System: Sale of the selective laser capsulotomy device - small ergonomic laser unit that mounts to operating microscopes. Includes acquisition cost and ongoing operational costs.
2. CAPSULBlue Consumables: Proprietary trypan blue intraocular dye sold in 0.15ml low volume delivery format, specifically formulated for use with CAPSULaser system
3. Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices (OVDs): CAPSULVisc (2% and 3% sodium hyaluronate) and CAPSULGel (2% HPMC) sold as surgical adjuncts for cataract procedures

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Capsulaser designs, manufactures, and sells a selective laser capsulotomy system (CAPSULaser) used by ophthalmic surgeons to perform anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery, paired with proprietary consumables: CAPSULBlue intraocular dye, CAPSULVisc 2% and 3% ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs), and CAPSULGel coupling gel. The company sells this integrated laser-plus-consumables platform to eye clinics and hospitals internationally.

Product overview

CAPSULaser/Excel-Lens offers a portfolio of ophthalmic surgical devices and solutions centered on selective laser capsulotomy (SLC) technology for cataract surgery. The core product is the CAPSULaser laser device, which is paired with CAPSULBlue intraocular dye (the only trypan blue approved for use with CAPSULaser) for enhanced visualization and capsule staining. Supporting products include CAPSULVisc 2% and 3% sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) for intraocular tissue management and endothelial protection, and CAPSULGel 2% HPMC coupling gel used as the optical interface between the cornea and the patient interface lens during laser delivery. This integrated product ecosystem enables consistent, precise capsulotomies with 100% free-floating results and 360-degree IOL coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAPSULaser: Selective laser capsulotomy (SLC) device for cataract surgery that creates capsulotomies in less than 1/3 of a second using continuous laser energy with trypan blue dye enhancement.
• CAPSULBlue
• CAPSULVisc
• CAPSULGel

Products and services

• CAPSULLaser CAPSULLaser is a microscope-mounted, ergonomically integrated continuous-wave laser system that performs selective laser capsulotomy during cataract surgery, using Dye-Enhanced Laser-Tissue Interaction with CAPSULBlue intraocular dye. It is intended for ophthalmic surgeons, eye clinics, and hospital ophthalmology departments seeking a precise, cost-effective alternative to femtosecond laser capsulotomy platforms.
• CAPSULBlue CAPSULBlue is a proprietary intraocular trypan blue dye used to stain the anterior lens capsule, enabling the selective laser-tissue interaction at the heart of the CAPSULLaser system. It is a single-use consumable sold to ophthalmic surgeons and surgical centers performing CAPSULLaser capsulotomy procedures.
• CAPSULVisc 2% CAPSULVisc 2% is an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) used to maintain anterior chamber depth and protect ocular tissues during cataract surgery, sold as a consumable to cataract surgeons using the CAPSULLaser system.
• CAPSULVisc 3% CAPSULVisc 3% is a higher-viscosity ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) used to maintain space and protect intraocular structures during cataract surgery, sold as a consumable to cataract surgeons using the CAPSULLaser system.
• CAPSULGel CAPSULGel is a coupling gel used with the CAPSULLaser system to provide optical and mechanical coupling between the laser delivery interface and the eye during selective laser capsulotomy. It is sold as a per-procedure consumable to ophthalmic surgical teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% free-floating capsulotomies vs potential 'postage stamp' incomplete cuts with pulsed laser systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Device TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2021Device Technologies serves as exclusive business partner for CAPSULaser distribution in Australia and New Zealand. They handle local sales, customer support, and evaluation scheduling for the Selective Laser Capsulotomy system, having introduced the technology to enable cataract surgeons in the region to perform highly accurate and consistent capsulotomies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Geuder AG: Geuder AG is a German ophthalmic surgical device manufacturer offering surgical instruments, OVDs, and ancillary cataract surgery products. Comparable to CAPSULVisc/CAPSULGel OVD product line with established European distribution.

Direct peers

• LENSAR: LENSAR develops the LENSAR Laser System, a femtosecond cataract surgery platform with AI-driven cataract imaging and integrated capsulotomy. Most direct competitor to CAPSULaser in the dedicated laser capsulotomy device category.
• Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems: Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems produces the Femto LDV Z8 and other low-pulse-energy femtosecond cataract platforms. Competes with CAPSULaser in the laser capsulotomy category with emphasis on mobile and workflow-integrated designs.
• D.O.R.C. (Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center): D.O.R.C. is a leading manufacturer of surgical ophthalmic devices including trypan blue dyes (e.g., MembraneBlue, VisionBlue) used in cataract surgery. Direct competitor to CAPSULBlue as a trypan blue intraocular dye supplier.

Others

• Optimedica: Optimedica was the original developer of FLACS technology, founded by David Mordaunt before he conceived CAPSULaser. While now part of AMO/J&J Vision, it represents the technological lineage from which CAPSULaser's founder pivoted.

Broad incumbents

• Bausch + Lomb (Victus): Bausch + Lomb's Victus femtosecond laser platform is approved for cataract surgery capsulotomy and lens fragmentation. Represents another entrenched FLACS competitor with broad ophthalmic surgical product portfolio.
• Alcon (LenSx): Alcon's LenSx femtosecond laser system is the market-leading FLACS platform for cataract surgery, performing capsulotomy as part of a fully integrated cataract suite. Directly competes with CAPSULaser in the laser-assisted capsulotomy category with vastly greater commercial resources.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision (Catalys): Johnson & Johnson's Catalys Precision Laser System is a leading femtosecond cataract surgery platform with integrated capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and arcuate incision capabilities. Competes head-to-head with CAPSULaser for premium cataract surgery centers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/capsulaser

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Capsulaser