Advanced Medical Optics Announces Strategic Partnership With Optikon; AMO Enters Back of the Eye Market.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (NYSE:AVO), a global leader in ophthalmic surgical devices and contact lens care products, today announced it has secured a worldwide distribution agreement with Optikon, a technology driven medical equipment manufacturer, to market an AMO branded vitreal retinal system.

James V. Mazzo, AMO's president and CEO stated, "We are extremely pleased with this agreement. Optikon offers state-of-the-art vitreal retinal technology and is known for its ability to innovate and provide quality products in the vitreal retinal market place. This system, which offers a full featured vitreal retinal workstation in a compact product format, complements our portfolio of surgical products and allows AMO to enter a new segment of eye care," said Mazzo. AMO has previously indicated its desire to pursue back of the eye technologies and opportunities. "This partnership allows AMO to broaden its scope and serve an entire new market. With our global distribution network and skilled surgical sales team, we will now be able to offer the surgeon several different technologies in the operating room," said Mazzo.

According to Antonio Berretta, president of Optikon, "This is a strategic partnership. We are pleased to combine our engineering competence and technology with AMO's global presence and position in the market."

Under terms of the global agreement, AMO's initial markets of entry for the system will be Europe, Africa and Asia.

About Vitreal Retinal Surgery

The terms vitreous and retinal commonly refer to the back portions of the human eye. The retina is the thin tissue that covers the back inside wall of the eye and like a camera, records the pictures which are sent to the brain for us to see. The vitreous is the clear liquid between the lens and the retina. The space that it fills is called the vitreous body. Vitreal retinal complications include such things as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In some cases, these types of complications can lead to severe loss of vision or total blindness if not treated.

About Optikon

Optikon is a privately held, Italian-based company which manufactures equipment used in both anterior and posterior segment surgery. Established in 1966, it has a long history in ophthalmology and is recognized for its engineering competence, high technology and well-established manufacturing capabilities that allow for continuous innovative products and services. More recently, the Company has expanded its portfolio to include diagnostic instrumentation. Equipment and accessories for diagnostic and surgical procedures include echography, topographers, corneal aberrometers, phacoemulsification, vitrectomy, and cryo surgery.

Optikon products are distributed in approximately 25 countries.

About Advanced Medical Optics

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) is a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of ophthalmic surgical and contact lens care products. The company focuses on developing a broad suite of innovative technologies and devices to address a wide range of eye disorders. Products in the ophthalmic surgical line include foldable intraocular lenses, phacoemulsification systems, viscoelastics and related products used in cataract surgery, and microkeratomes used in LASIK procedures for refractive error correction. Among the well-known ophthalmic surgical product brands the company owns or has the rights to are Phacoflex(R), Clariflex(R), Array(R) and Sensar(R) foldable intraocular lenses, the Sovereign(R) phacoemulsification system and the Amadeus(TM) microkeratome. Products in the contact lens care line include disinfecting solutions, daily cleaners, enzymatic cleaners and lens rewetting drops. Among the well-known contact lens care product brands the company possesses are COMPLETE(R), COMPLETE(R) Blink-N-Clean(R), Consept(R)F, Consept(R) 1 Step, Oxysept(R) 1 Step, UltraCare(R), Ultrazyme(R) and Total Care(R). Amadeus is a licensed product of, and a trademark of, SIS, Ltd.

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. is based in Orange County, California, and employs approximately 2,000 worldwide. The Company has operations in about 20 countries and markets products in approximately 60 countries. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.amo-inc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about AMO and its businesses, such as Mr. Mazzo's statements and statements about the product launch. Any statements in this press release that refer to AMO's estimated or anticipated future results are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release reflect AMO's current analysis of existing trends and information 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 affecting AMO's or Optikon's businesses, including but not limited to competitive, regulatory and market conditions; the performance acceptance of new products and the continuing acceptance of current products; Optikon's ability to supply products; the execution of strategic initiatives; and the uncertainties associated with intellectual property protection for these products. In addition, matters generally affecting the domestic and global economy, such as changes in interest and currency exchange rates, can affect AMO's results. 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 can be found in press releases issued by AMO, as well as AMO's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Information Statement filed as an exhibit to the amended Form 10 filed by AMO with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002. Copies of press releases and additional information about AMO are available on the World Wide Web at www.amo-inc.com, or you can contact the AMO Investor Relations Department by calling 714-247-8348.