Autonomous and Summit Issue Joint Proxy/Prospectus Material.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BW HealthWire)--March 30, 1999--Autonomous Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ NM: ATCI) and Summit Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: BEAM) announced today that the Joint Proxy/Prospectus for the proposed merger of Autonomous into a subsidiary of Summit has been made effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that copies of the document have been mailed to stockholders of both companies.

"We are extremely pleased to announce that the joint proxy/prospectus has been mailed and we are ready for the stockholders to vote on the merger. We believe the merger will provide significant benefits to our stockholders, customers, and employees," commented Randy Frey, Chairman and CEO of Autonomous.

On October 1, 1998, Autonomous and Summit announced the agreement to merge Autonomous with or into a subsidiary of Summit Technology, subject to a vote by the stockholders of both companies. The Board of Directors of both companies has unanimously approved the merger.

The total merger consideration for Autonomous stockholders is 11,650,400 shares of Summit stock and an equal amount of value in cash, up to $50 million in cash. The per share consideration will be a function of the average closing Summit stock price for the five days before the closing of the merger and is more fully described in the Joint Proxy/Prospectus that has been mailed to stockholders. A special meeting of stockholders and closing date is scheduled for April 29,1999.

Autonomous designs, develops and markets next generation excimer laser instruments for laser vision correction. The company's LADARVision(R) System is the only FDA approved laser vision correction system that combines high-speed, laser radar eye tracking with precisely controlled small beam shaping technology. For more information, contact Autonomous Technologies at 2800 Discovery Drive, Orlando, FL 32826 [phone], or visit us on the web at www.autonomous.com.

Founded in 1985, Summit Technology is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of ophthalmic laser systems designed to correct common vision disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In 1995, Summit was the first excimer laser company to receive FDA approval for its excimer laser system for the correction of mild to moderate myopia in the U.S. In addition, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lens Express, Summit sells contact lenses and related products.

This press release contains a forward-looking statement with regard to the company's belief as to the benefits of the merger. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statement as a result of a number of important factors including a decline in the price of Summit stock prior to the closing, the failure of the shareholders of both companies to take the necessary actions to effectuate the transaction and the failure to realize the expected benefits of the merger of the two companies.