Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) (NYSE:EYE) today announced from the
XXV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
(ESCRS) the launch of three new refractive technologies to the European
market. The new TECNIS®
1-Piece intraocular lens (IOL) and the TECNIS®
Multifocal acrylic IOL are being introduced for the first time in
any market, while the WhiteStar Signature?
phacoemulsification system, launched in the U.S. in April, 2007 at the
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), will now
be available to the European market.
The launches mark the continued expansion of AMO's
advanced product portfolio offering eye care professionals a ?Complete
Refractive Solution.?
TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL
The TECNIS® 1-Piece
IOL's innovative design and ease-of-use
enhancements combine with the proven TECNIS®
IOL benefits to deliver another IOL with claims of reduced spherical
aberration and improved functional vision. By targeting zero spherical
aberration, TECNIS®
lenses are designed to provide rejuvenated vision, more like that of a
younger adult with no spherical aberrations.
The TECNIS® 1-Piece
IOL design combines two ground-breaking design advancements. The
innovative ProTec?
360-degree edge design has an uninterrupted barrier edge designed to
minimize cell migration onto the posterior capsule. Unlike first
generation one-piece lenses, the TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL has no interruption at the haptic-optic junction. The lens
also has a frosted edge designed to minimize edge glare. The TECNIS®
IOL Tri-Fix? design
provides three-point fixation for exceptional stability. Refraction
stabilizes quickly after the implantation procedure and remains stable
after post-operative refraction.
?My expectations after 20 years for IOL
performance are very high,? said Donald R.
Nixon, MD FRSC C. ?The TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL has surpassed these expectations, especially for visual
outcomes and optic clarity. In addition, this new generation one-piece
design has responded to the issues associated with existing one-piece
IOLs.?
Made of a hydrophobic acrylic material that blocks UV light, the TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL transmits the healthy blue light needed for improved
scotopic (dim light) vision and healthy circadian rhythms. With its
simple, one-piece design and reduced center thickness, it is easy to
implant with bag-friendly coplanar delivery and gently unfolding haptics.
AMO expects to launch the TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL in the U.S. in the first half of 2008.
TECNIS®
Multifocal Acrylic IOL
The TECNIS®
Multifocal IOL, a lens that has been available in a silicone material
for three years, is now available in a hydrophobic acrylic material in
Europe. The hydrophobic acrylic material helps lower chromatic
dispersion for improved vision and the lens uses a patented,
wavefront-designed aspheric surface to compensate for spherical
aberration of the cornea. By offering both advancements, TECNIS®
Multifocal IOL is the only lens on the market that is designed to
correct the two highest-order aberrations ?
spherical aberration and chromatic aberration.
?The new TECNIS®
Multifocal acrylic IOL combines the outstanding visual performance
benefits of the TECNIS®
Multifocal optic design with a proven hydrophobic acrylic material that
provides unmatched clarity,? said Michael
Knorz, MD. ?I am looking forward to my
clinical experience to confirm the benefits of this new premium
presbyopia correcting IOL.?
In addition to spherical and chromatic aberration correction, the lens
offers other significant benefits. The lens'
full diffractive posterior surface allows a full range of quality
vision, independent of pupil size. This also allows the lens to perform
exceptionally well in low-light situations.
The launch of the TECNIS®
Multifocal acrylic lens further strengthens the portfolio of advanced
vision-correction technologies available through AMO's
CustomMatch?
Solution. The CustomMatch?
Personalized Multifocal Vision Solution offers physicians the option to
use TECNIS®
bilateral diffractive IOLs, ReZoom?
bilateral refractive IOLs, or a combination of both to provide the best
vision solution to meet the patient's
lifestyle.
Made of a hydrophobic acrylic material that blocks UV light, both the
TECNIS® 1-Piece and
TECNIS® Multifocal
acrylic IOLs transmit the healthy blue light needed for improved
scotopic (dim light) vision and healthy circadian rhythms.
WhiteStar Signature?
System
The new WhiteStar Signature?
system combines the safety and efficiency of proven WhiteStar®
technology with the ultimate chamber stability of revolutionary Fusion?
Fluidics. A streamlined user interface and easy-to-use accessories
enhance the efficiency of the operating room environment.
This system provides the ultimate chamber stability and effectively
reduces post-occlusion surge by a significant margin. Fusion?
Fluidics contains advanced chamber stability safety features; its high
flow and vacuum capabilities provides a peristaltic flow of up to 60
cc/min and maximum vacuum of 650 mmHg.
Other features of the WhiteStar Signature?
System include a one-step auto-loading tubing pack, a faster prime
cycle, a touch screen designed to be more intuitive, a wireless foot
pedal, voice confirmation and greater ease of programming. It also
offers a surgical media center with real-time blending of system data
and surgical video, customized viewing of procedures and data,
high-definition, customizable presentation capability and a
frame-by-frame teaching tool.
?The WhiteStar Signature?
system builds upon AMO's outstanding
tradition in phacoemulsification technology, with the introduction of
the new Fusion? Fluidics with even better
surge control,? said Roger Steinert, MD. ?These
innovations, along with new user-friendly interfaces, elevate the
WhiteStar Signature? system to an entirely
new level with support for both current and future surgical techniques.?
?These products are excellent examples of our
investment in research and development producing innovative new
technologies, whether building off of an existing platform such as with
the WhiteStar Signature? system and TECNIS®
Multifocal IOL, or in developing a brand new technology like the TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL,? said AMO Chairman, President
and CEO Jim Mazzo. ?Each of the products
launching at ESCRS include design innovations and advancements that will
allow our customers to optimize their patient's
vision and lifestyle experiences.?
The TECNIS®
1-Piece IOL, TECNIS®
Multifocal acrylic IOL, and the WhiteStar Signature?
phacoemulsification system will be commercially available in Europe in
September, 2007.
About Advanced Medical Optics (AMO)
AMO develops advanced, life-improving vision technologies for people of
all ages. Products in the cataract/implant line include intraocular
lenses (IOLs), phacoemulsification systems, viscoelastics, and related
products used in ocular surgery. AMO owns or has the rights to such
product brands as ReZoom?,
TECNIS®,
Clariflex®, Sensar®,
and Verisyse® IOLs,
Sovereign®,
Sovereign® Compact,
and WHITESTAR Signature?
phacoemulsification systems with WHITESTAR®
Technology, Healon®
viscoelastics, and the Baerveldt®
glaucoma shunt. Products in the laser vision correction line include
wavefront diagnostic devices, femtosecond lasers and associated patient
interface devices, and excimer laser vision correction systems and
treatment cards. AMO brands in the laser vision correction business
include Star S4 IR®,
WaveScan Wavefront®,
CustomVue®,
IntraLase® FS,
IntraLase Method?
and IntraLasik®.
Products in the contact lens care line include disinfecting solutions,
enzymatic cleaners and lens rewetting drops. Among the eye care product
brands the company possesses are COMPLETE®,
COMPLETE®
Blink-N-Clean®,
Consept®F, Consept®
1 Step, Oxysept® 1
Step, UltraCare®,
Ultrazyme®, Total
Care? and blink?
branded products.
AMO is based in Santa Ana, California, and employs approximately 4,200
people worldwide. The company has operations in 24 countries and markets
products in approximately 60 countries. For more information, visit the
company's website at www.amo-inc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about AMO,
including statements of Dr. Nixon, Dr. Knorz, Dr. Steinert and Mr. Mazzo
and those relating to the launch, features and benefits of the products.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on
estimates and assumptions and represent AMO's judgment only as of the
date of this press release. Actual results may differ from current
expectations based on a number of factors including but not limited to
market developments, expanded clinical experience, unexpected delays in
manufacturing, and unexpected regulatory, intellectual property or
quality issues. Therefore, the reader is cautioned not to rely on these
forward-looking statements. AMO disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. Additional information
concerning these and other risk factors may be found in previous press
releases issued by AMO and AMO's public periodic filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the
heading "Risk Factors" in AMO's 2006 Form 10-K filed in March 2007 and
Form 10-Q filed in August 2007. Copies of press releases and additional
information about AMO are available at www.amo-inc.com.
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
Investors:
Sheree Aronson,
Corporate Vice President, Investor
Relations and Corporate
Communications, 714-247-8290
sheree.aronson@amo-inc.com
or
Mark
Levin, Manager, Investor Relations, 714-247-8465
mark.levin@amo-inc.com
or
Media:
Steve
Chesterman, Manager, Corporate Communications,
714-247-8711
steve.chesterman@amo-inc.com
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