Back-to-School Students Enjoy Daytime Study, Sports and Activities With Paragon CRT Lenses; No More `Four-Eyes' Insults for Children With New Vision Correction Therapy.

Health/Medical Writers

MESA, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2003

Opting for an innovative vision-correction therapy, many students and student-athletes are selecting Paragon CRT(R) therapeutic contact lenses for overnight Corneal Refractive Therapy to correct nearsightedness.

The overnight contact lenses, which free children from having to wear glasses or daytime contact lenses, are safe, FDA-approved and easily integrated into a young person's nightly routine making them a virtually hassle-free alternative for youth, who are too young for refractive surgery options.

The new therapeutic contact lenses also eliminate the chance that young students will lose or break glasses due to rough play or accidents. Children who have already moved into contact lenses also benefit from Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT -- no more lost lenses or contact lens discomfort that can be aggravated by environmental irritants.

Paragon CRT contact lenses temporarily reshape the cornea during sleep allowing users to see clearly without the lenses for all of their waking hours. If a patient chooses to discontinue wearing the lenses, the cornea will return to its original shape. In addition, Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT allows for adjustments for normal changes in vision that occur as people age. Not only is the therapy a non-invasive alternative to laser-corrective surgery, there are no age restrictions and it is reversible. Adults, teenagers and children can all benefit from Paragon CRT.

Paragon CRT is the only therapeutic contact lens FDA-approved for overnight contact lens corneal reshaping. During sleep, Paragon CRT gently and safely reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness with or without moderate astigmatism. When users awake, they simply remove the lens and experience clear, natural vision without daytime contacts or glasses.

"Paragon CRT gives students and athletes freedom from the hassles of daytime contacts and glasses," said Joe Sicari, President and CEO of Paragon Vision Sciences. "Aesthetics aside, many younger students, who are not yet eligible for LASIK, are turning to Paragon CRT, to correct their vision, improving overall visual comfort and performance and saving parents the worry of lost or broken glasses. And, because Paragon CRT therapeutic lenses are worn at night in the home, parents have more control and can be confident that their child leaves home with the good vision needed for school and leisure activities throughout their day."

With multiple vision correction options available, including LASIK surgery, many patients who are too young, who are not candidates or prefer a non-surgical vision correction option, are selecting Paragon CRT contact lens to cure nearsightedness.

Paragon CRT is only available through trained and certified practitioners. A current list of practitioners can be found at www.paragoncrt.com. The site is updated daily as new practitioners are added. Paragon CRT is a product of Paragon Vision Sciences, a privately held corporation based in Mesa, Ariz. Paragon Vision Sciences is a leading manufacturer of advanced materials used to produce contact lenses. For over 25 years, the company has been at the forefront of research and development, including a 10-year R&D project with NASA involving studies aboard three Space Shuttle missions. This project led to the development of the technology behind the oxygen-permeable material used in the manufacture of Paragon CRT. All operations are conducted in compliance with the FDA regulations. For additional information about Paragon CRT or Paragon Vision Sciences, visit www.paragoncrt.com or www.paragonvision.com .