IRIDEX Granted U.S. Patent for MicroPulse(TM) Technology - A Fine Dose Control Technology Enabling Tissue Sparing Eye Surgeries With Visible Lasers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug 18, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced the receipt of issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, titled "Laser System with Short Pulse Characteristics And Its Method Of Use." This patent applies to the company's MicroPulse(TM) technology which provides the ophthalmologist with fine dose control of laser energy during eye surgery. Ophthalmologists are using MicroPulse technology to treat patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy and other sight-threatening retinal and glaucoma disorders. Treatments using MicroPulse technology demonstrate favorable outcomes and significantly less damage to healthy retinal structures compared to traditional continuous wave laser treatment.

"MicroPulse technology enables Tissue Sparing Photocoagulation, a controlled laser dosing approach which induces the long-term benefits of laser procedures with no detectable tissue damaging side effects," commented Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO. "The company has developed this technology over a number of years using infrared laser systems and its clinical efficacy has been reported in over 45 peer reviewed publications. Extending our MicroPulse technology from our infrared laser systems to our visible laser systems and being granted a patent to protect this proprietary technology for visible laser systems is important because the majority of lasers sold today are visible wavelength laser systems."

source: Iridex

IRIDEX Granted U.S. Patent for Adjustable Laser Probe for Eye Surgery

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced the receipt of an Issue Notification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for U.S. Patent No. 7,766,904, "Adjustable Laser Probe For Use In Vitreoretinal Surgery." This patent applies to a number of consumable medical devices already in the IRIDEX product line, collectively identified and sold as Adjustable and Intuitive EndoProbe® laser handpieces.

The Adjustable Laser Probe speeds up treatments by allowing continuous adjustment of the optical fiber over a wide range of angles for full coverage of the peripheral retina without requiring removal and reinsertion of the probe from the eye.

"We continue to focus on ways to increase the value of our consumable instrumentation line by offering novel and creative product solutions to our ophthalmic customers which in turn will help us grow our business," stated Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO, "and to reconfirm our corporate position as a leader in our market."

"The issuance of this patent is valuable to IRIDEX because it helps us maintain the differentiation of our vitreoretinal product line from those of our competitors, and we plan to capitalize on the leverage afforded by this new patent by expanding this product line in the near future."

source: PR Newswire

iFS LASIK Corrects Vision with No Blades and Removes Risks Associated with Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a great way to get rid of your glasses, but they come with some complications - especially if they're not properly cared for. Recurring eye infections can lead to corneal scarring and even blindness if not treated. For those who are candidates for LASIK, new advances have made it safer than ever.

As featured recently on The Doctors, the Advanced IntraLase Femtosecond Laser (iFS) is a way to correct your eyesight without a single cut with a blade. Bladeless LASIK removes the primary risk factor of LASIK which was cutting the eye with a blade. New highly accurate lasers are available to create the flap for LASIK correction that are even an added improvement over first models.

Dr. Chis Cabler of the laser vision center in Houston, TX says, "The iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser is the latest iteration of the IntraLase Femtosecond Laser. The major difference is that the newer version is purported to provide a more stable LASIK flap due to an inverted bevel side cut. Theoretically, this should keep the flap in place and avoid “striae” or wrinkling." Dr. Cabler uses the original iFS laser and says, "both lasers are more accurate and safer than the mechanical microkeratomes we used to use."

source: American Health & Beauty

State-Of-The-Art Multifocal LASIK Available and Affordable Only In Mexico Vision Clinics

December 30, 2009 (FPRC) -- CHULA VISTA, CA Leading U.S. based medical experts, Angeles Health International is pioneering the field of eye surgery with its brand new LASIK Mexico alternative. The brand new procedure is designed to permanently correct multifocal vision impairments.

Angeles Health International (AHI) is a U.S. based organization that organizes medical travel Mexico on behalf of the largest private hospital network in Mexico. The Angeles hospitals can be found at various locations across Mexico, including Juarez, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Puebla, and Lomas and Pedregal in Mexico City. Each state-of-the-art hospital provides top quality medical care to patients. Angeles prides itself on its patient-centric mandate and as a result provides attentive and personalized care. Additionally all patients are treated by highly skilled and trained staff.

The PRESBYLASIK procedure uses the latest FDA technology VISX STAR S4 for multifocal, custom wave front correction of presbyopia. In laymans terms existing LASIK procedures for presbyopia is monofocal and adjusts one eye for distance and the other for vision. The new PRESBYLASIK multifocal LASIK procedure however revolutionizes this field by zoning the lens of both eyes for seeing near and far distances, thus giving patients the ability to use both their eyes as normal.

source: Free Press Release Center

TLCVision to Restructure Debt in Pre-Arranged Chapter 11 Filing

ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - December 21, 2009) - TLC Vision Corporation (NASDAQ: TLCV) (TSX: TLC), North America's premier eye care services company, said today that it has reached an agreement with holders of a majority of the Company's senior secured debt to restructure its balance sheet.

To expedite its financial restructuring, which includes a pre-arranged plan of reorganization, the Company and two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, TLC Vision (USA) Corporation and TLC Management Services Inc., have filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. In addition, the Company is seeking a recognition of its Chapter 11 filing in a case that it is commencing in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice under the Canadian Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. No other company operations, affiliates or subsidiaries -- including its TLC Laser Eye Centers -- are involved in the filing.

TLCVision said clinical care for patients continues without change or interruption. TLCVision will continue to honor the TLC Lifetime Commitment. The Company also said the filing will not affect its on-going commitments to current employees.



source: MarketWire

Laser Eye Surgery Turns 21

December 02, 2009 - Press Dispensary - Laser Eye Surgery comes of age at the end of 2009 as the procedure reaches its 21st birthday. It’s not only an iconic age but represents 21 years of freedom without complications.

The world’s first laser eye surgery operation was performed in Germany in 1988, inspired by an eye injury in which a damaged cornea gave an unexpected vision improvement to the short-sighted owner.

In the 21 years since, it has become the most commonly performed private procedure in the UK, with half a million people believed to have undergone the treatment to date. Around 300,000 have chosen Optimax, the UK’s only specialist laser eye surgery clinic chain, which has 23 clinics nationwide.

Across the world, some 30 million people have had laser eye surgery. For many it has meant an end to the inconvenience of glasses and lenses, and has enabled people embark on careers and pursuits which would otherwise be impossible. Its acceptance is now more or less universal, approved by the police, armed forces and even NASA, which discovered that using lenses and solutions was difficult in zero gravity conditions. No long term complications have arisen.

source: Optimax

Laser eye surgery doesn't damage corneas, study suggests

While many people have undergone various vision-correction procedures in which laser light is used to reshape the cornea, there has been some people in and out of the medical profession who have worried the operations were causing damage that would eventually become apparent.

Seeking to determine if these concerns are justified, doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., set out to assess the risk to corneas posed by two popular laser vision-correction procedures, photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, and laser in situ keratomileusis, better known as LASIK.

Two Mayo doctors, Sanjay V. Patel and William M. Bourne, studied 29 eyes of 16 patients who had undergone LASIK or PRK.

Photographs of the endothelial cells lining the corneas were taken and analyzed before and nine years after surgery.

What Patel and Bourne discovered and reported in an article published in the Archives of Ophthalmology was that after nine years the eyes that had been corrected with PRK or LASIK had experienced a 5.3 percent reduction in the density of corneal endothelial cells.

source: Tampa Bay Online

FDA To Investigate Quality Of Life Problems Following LASIK Eye Surgery

The US Food and Drug Administration has launched a collaborative study to investigate the potential impact of Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery on patients' quality of life. The project will seek to establish the proportion of LASIK patients in the US who experience significant post-procedure quality of life problems such as blurred vision and dry eyes.

The FDA announced the launch of the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project on Thursday. The agency will be collaborating with the National Eye Institute and the US Department of Defense.

source: Medical News Today

Laser technology may soon be used for corneal transplants

SINGAPORE: In what could be a medical breakthrough in Singapore, corneal transplants may soon be carried out using laser technology instead of by hand.

You've probably heard of Lasik surgery to correct short-sightedness. That same technology could be used to perform corneal transplants.

Clinical trials are underway and the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) hopes to offer it to patients within a year.

Professor Donald Tan, director of Singapore National Eye Centre, said: "Being able to use the laser to do most of the surgery means far greater precision, accuracy and that will immediately translate into much better vision, much better results and also of course, the surgery will be much easier."

SNEC is collaborating with a team in Italy and it hopes that some 80% to 90% of corneal transplants can eventually be performed with laser.

source: ChannelNewsAsia

Davis Vision Center Publishes Study Comparing LASIK Costs to Wearing Eyeglasses and Contacts Over a Lifetime

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) September 21, 2009 -- Undergoing a LASIK procedure could save a 20 year-old up to $48,000 over a lifetime and could pay for itself in as little as three years, claims a recent in-house study by Davis Vision Center of Salt Lake City. The study is published at http://www.davisvisionmd.com/blog/lasik-costs/lasik-vs-glasses-contacts/.

The convenience alone of getting LASIK is generally worth the cost
Our goal in publishing this information is to help anyone who is researching LASIK costs to see the economic savings in the long run.
The study was based on approximations of industry-standard prices for vision correction in the United States, which are compared against the current U.S. average lifespan of 77.7 years of age.

The cost analysis also found that the yearly cost of wearing prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses combined can total up to $1,004, a price that exceeds the average costs associated with LASIK treatment ($3,000 with an annual eye exam estimated to cost $105) within three years.

Davis Vision Center compiled the study in response to a combination of an increasing number of inquiries at Davis Vision Center about the cost of LASIK treatment, and the apparent lack of published data available online. Very few resources are available for researching the difference between the cost undergoing a LASIK procedure and the cost of wearing prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses over a lifetime.

source: PR Web

Ultraelite – New advancement in laser eye technology

Ultralase, the vision correction specialist, has today announced the launch of a new treatment, Ultraelite. Ultraelite uses technology which has the potential to deliver the best quality of vision of any laser eye surgery currently available to the UK and Irish market and will be offered at Ultralase clinics nationwide.

Using technology more advanced than is available on any other laser platform, Ultraelite represents the pinnacle of laser treatment options and has promise to deliver the most precise and accurate laser vision correction available in the UK and Ireland.

The new surgery benefits from building on existing treatments using wavefront technology. Whilst existing earlier wavefront treatments produce excellent quality of vision and patient satisfaction, detailed scientific analysis identified one more way to make the treatment better still, the result being the development of Ultraelite.

Constantly at the forefront of vision correction, Ultraelite has undergone extensive development work and trials with outstanding results. Singapore was chosen as the venue for this development and testing, boasting a wealth of highly experienced laser surgeons. The results of the testing show that 99.3% of those treated reported improvement in the quality of their vision.

source: Realwire

In Mature LASIK Market, Competition, Recession Bring Down Prices

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 07/08/09 -- Up to half of the world's population will need corrective vision at some stage in their lives. But only about 10% of them will be diagnosed and treated, leaving an enormous potential pool of customers. Fulfilling this demand for both traditional and advanced refractive vision correction (RVC) treatments will propel the ophthalmology market to become one of the largest healthcare sectors over the next ten years. According to a new report from leading life science market research publisher Kalorama Information, "Advances in Ophthalmology: Markets in the Treatment of Eye Disorders and Corrective Vision, 2nd Edition," the popular RVC procedure LASIK is performed between 1.1 and 1.4 million per year in the U.S. alone and physician fees exceed $2 billion per year.

LASIK surgery was first introduced more than ten years ago and is now a mature industry with many providers and healthy 95% patient satisfaction rate. But this pool of candidates is diminishing in part due to fears of falling in the 2-5% of patients who experience problems and partly due to the current recession -- in early 2009 some clinics reported a 50% decrease in surgeries compared to early 2008. Patients are waiting out the economy before spending money on elective procedures.

"The U.S. LASIK market is approaching saturation and that's great for consumers," says Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. "Competition between vision care centers, ophthalmologist offices, and eye clinics has pushed prices down making LASIK procedures affordable to many more prospective patients. Special advertised pricing, promotions, and payment and financing plans are also bringing in new patients."

source: Marketwire

Sharfstein Investigates LASIK Patients’ Complaints

FDA acting commissioner Joshua Sharfstein told FDA Webview 5/21 that he is looking into complaints of many LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) eye vision enhancement surgery patients that the agency has failed to honor its commitments to investigate their complaints since 2006 that the technique has unacceptable risks.

The primary issue in their complaints is that, with an adverse-reaction risk factor in excess of 5% (patient dissatisfaction) rate at six months, nobody is doing research on the procedure’s long-term quality-of-life. It involves either blade- or laser-cutting of flaps in the corneal surface layer that patients complain never heal. A post-operative trauma to the patient’s head at any time can forever open the flap and allow the entry of viruses and bacteria to the stromal layer beneath, with commensurate vision impairment and even blindness.

According to the injured patients, despite the procedure's 95% success rate, the extent of failures exceeds FDA’s allowable 1% limit and the agency has failed for three years to address petitions submitted since 2006 that sought enforcement of mandatory adverse event reporting (MDR) requirements on facilities performing LASIK procedures. They allege an effective FDA conspiracy with for-profit LASIK surgery surgeons in concealing true adverse event rates.

source: FDA News Alert

Boston Laser Eye Surgery Clinic use advanced Lasik procedures to improve Patient’s vision

(NewDesignWorld Press Release Center) -- A growing number of people are choosing to undergo the Laser eye surgery procedure known as iLasik. More than 2 million people in the USA have had laser eye surgery and demand is growing as awareness of its benefits grows among consumers. This new development in laser vision correction is helping people see without glasses or contacts, freeing them to live normally. Athletes and former athletes are also choosing to have their vision improved with iLasik. The success rate and satisfaction being reported is spreading the word about laser vision correction.

Boston Laser, a leading laser surgery clinic is lead by one of the renowned experts in the field of laser assisted surgery. Dr. Samir Melki is a leading authority on Cataract, Corneal and Laser Vision Correction Surgery. After more than 6,000 procedures, his experience and technical skills are much sought after by patients. It’s their only set of eyes and they are looking for specialists with the skill and proven technology.

source: NewDesignWorld

Kevin Niksarli, MD of Manhattan Lasik Center Announces Successful Use of iLASIK Procedure Incorporating Monovision

The recent FDA approval of iLASIK procedure for monovision now allows surgeons to more accurately correct the distance as well as the near vision of presbyopes, states Kevin Niksarli, MD of Manhattan Lasik Center. This has made LASIK, an already great and popular procedure, even more versatile for those with presbyopia.

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 17, 2009 -- Beginning in the mid 40s, everyone with good distance vision starts to experience blurred vision at near points, such as when reading a book, newspaper, putting on eye make-up or even working at the computer. This happens to everyone with good distance vision, even if they never used glasses before, states Kevin Niksarli, MD of Manhattan Lasik Center.

Kevin Niksarli, MD estimates that approximately 100 million people in the United States either have presbyopia, or will develop it by 2016. This is generating a huge demand for eyewear, contact lenses, and surgery that can help presbyopes deal with their failing near vision.

source: eMediaWire

Soldiers in line for laser eye surgery

Canada's military is moving toward surgically enhancing the vision of its soldiers, sailors and airmen, hoping to better equip them for combat and other demanding jobs -- without the hassle of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The Department of National Defence recently issued a tender for contractors to develop a detailed laser eye surgery program, noting that corrected vision is particularly important in certain military trades.

The operation would give troops in the field an advantage over having to wear spectacles or contacts, said Dr. Walter Delpero, who was the Canadian Forces' chief of opthalmology until he retired from military service in 1996.

"The big question is, what happens if you lose your corrective vision," said Dr. Delpero, who is now in private practice and teaches at the University of Ottawa.

source: National Post

Abbott Expands Its Growing Medical Device Business With Acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO)

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. and SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) (NYSE: EYE) announced today a definitive agreement for Abbott to acquire AMO for $22 per share in cash, for a total transaction value of approximately $2.8 billion, inclusive of estimated net debt at the time of closing. Based in Santa Ana, Calif., AMO is a global leader in ophthalmic care, comprised of three segments: cataract surgery, laser vision correction (LASIK), and eye care products. Globally, AMO holds the number one position in LASIK surgical devices, the number two position in the cataract surgical device market and the number three position in contact lens care products.

"Through superior vision care technologies and service, AMO has established itself as a leader in this multi-billion dollar medical device segment. With AMO, Abbott is enhancing and strengthening its diverse mix of medical device businesses and gaining a leadership position in another large and growing segment," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "Additionally, Abbott's significant global presence will help drive growth opportunities for this business, especially in international markets, where favorable demographics are driving demand for advanced eye care procedures and products."

source: Advanced Medical Optics

Dello Russo Laser Vision Opens New LASIK Eye Surgery Center in Long Island, NY

Long Island, NY (PRWeb) December 19, 2008 -- Dello Russo Laser Vision, family-run Tri-state area Lasik eye surgery center, announces the opening of its newest facility in Long Island, NY, making consultations and evaluations for LASIK eye surgery at 1979 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park - a location which is easily accessible to residents of the area. Having just opened its doors on December 10, 2008, Drs. Dello Russo and the staff believe that the center will fill a formerly unmet need in Long Island for their well-known brand of All-Laser Wavelight Lasik, using a combination of the Intralase and Wavelight Laser technologies. The procedure takes only 10 minutes from start to finish for both eyes.

According to Drs. Dello Russo, the area in which the new office opened has thus far had an absence of All-Laser Lasik WL machines and know-how, techniques which were introduced by Dr Jeffrey Dello Russo back in 2002. The Dello Russo family aims to correct that deficiency. Dr. Joseph Dello Russo said he was "surprised to find out that the Long Island area has been underserved for All-laser Lasik. Over the years we've noticed that a significant number of our patients had come across the East River to our Manhattan Office and decided to serve them better by opening a new office in a more convenient location."

source: eMediaWire

Beware Eye-Op ‘Tourism’, Warns LasikSurgeryRX.com

LasikSurgeryRX.com (www.lasiksurgeryrx.com), a Lasik surgery resource site, has today warned patients to take care when considering travelling abroad for eye-operations, and to ensure they do their homework before jetting off to save on medical bills.

(11 December 2008) - - LasikSurgeryRX.com (www.lasiksurgeryrx.com), a Lasik eye surgery information site, has today issued a stark warning to patients considering travelling abroad to save on medical bills, urging them to ‘fully consider’ the potential dangers and pitfalls of travelling abroad to receive medical treatment.

LasikSurgeryRX.com, which provides patients with information and resources relating to Lasik eye surgery to help better inform their decisions, has warned that inferior medical care, a lack of formal medical regulation and unhygienic conditions often encountered by travelling patients could pose a serious health threat.

source: WebWire

Laser clinics in optimistic mood

Despite the economic climate, 2008 has witnessed the largest expansion of refractive surgery clinics since 2002, the findings of Optician's annual refractive surgery survey have revealed.

The survey identified 128 clinics in the UK, 23 more than 2007 and further clinics have opened since the research was conducted.

According to the chief executives of Optical Express and Ultralase, the UK's largest laser treatment specialists, the refractive surgery market can sustain recent expansion by both companies and is well-placed to weather the recession.

'We're still seeing growth from our new clinics and those we've owned historically,' said David Moulsdale, chairman and chief executive of Optical Express. Acknowledging that the market would start to be affected by recession, he added: 'People's discretionary spending is becoming more careful.'

source: Optician Online