Bausch & Lomb Introduces Zyoptix; Personalized Laser Vision Correction Solutions.Business Editors Video Refrattiva 2000 TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000 -- Innovative technology designed to deliver visual improvement beyond other available treatments -- Zyoptix(TM) designed to provide individual, customized laser vision correction -- Latest advancement in refractive surgery Refractive surgery A surgical procedure that corrects visual defects. Mentioned in: Photorefractive Keratectomy and Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis refractive surgery demonstrated live at Video Refrattiva 2000 Bausch & Lomb (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :BOL BOL Bolivia (ISO Country code) BOL Books Online BOL Bole (SIL code, Nigeria) BOL Bill Of Lading BOL Beginning Of Line BOL Best Of Luck BOL Buzz Out Loud BOL Bruin Online BOL Beginning Of Life ), the global refractive surgery leader, will unveil Zyoptix(TM), the first integrated system for personalized laser vision correction(a) on March 24 and 25 during Video Refrattiva 2000, the largest annual international satellite congress on refractive surgery bringing together more than 10,000 ophthalmic surgeons around the world via satellite and the Internet. Bausch & Lomb's Zyoptix technology will debut during live LASIK LASIK laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. LA·SIK n. Eye surgery in which the surface of the cornea is reshaped using a laser, performed to correct certain refractive disorders such as myopia. (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis keratomileusis /ker·a·to·mi·leu·sis/ (ker?ah-to-mi-loo´sis) keratoplasty in which a slice of the patient's cornea is removed, shaped to the desired curvature, and then sutured back on the remaining cornea to correct optical error. ) surgery demonstrations broadcast to surgeons at 25 different sites around the world. These live procedures will be broadcast from Toronto, as well as Milan, Italy, on March 25 at 9 a.m. to noon (EST EST electroshock therapy. EST abbr. electroshock therapy ). Clinical investigators for Bausch & Lomb also will present the first clinical results utilizing the Zyoptix approach. Initial findings demonstrate that Bausch & Lomb's Zyoptix technology can deliver clinical results that exceed the capabilities of current technologies by improving the visual performance of the eye. The technology has the ability to provide patients with better than 20/20 vision, which could allow them to see better than ever before. Zyoptix: The Personalized Vision Solution Zyoptix represents the next generation of LASIK vision correction technology that will allow surgeons to personalize treatment for each patient eye. The foundation for this innovative technology is the unique integration of the new Zywave(TM) wavefront Noun 1. wavefront - (physics) an imaginary surface joining all points in space that are reached at the same instant by a wave propagating through a medium wave front analysis device with 3-D corneal corneal pertaining to the cornea. See also keratitis, keratopathy. corneal anomaly includes microcornea, coloboma, megalocornea, dermoid, congenital opacity. corneal black body see corneal sequestrum (below). mapping from the Orbscan(TM) II. The new integrated system calculates an optimal corrective solution and then displays the simulated patient A simulated patient or standardized patient (SP) (also known as a patient instructor), in health care, is an individual who is trained to act as a real patient in order to simulate a set of symptoms or problems. outcome for the surgeon's review and approval before moving on to the laser correction. The Technolas 217, modified with the Zylink(TM) upgrade, utilizes both a 2-mm and a 1-mm flying spot beam A spot beam, in telecommunications parlance, is a satellite signal that is specially concentrated in power (i.e. send by a high-gain antenna) so that it will cover only a limited geographic area on earth. to quickly create the prescribed treatment. "This technology may literally deliver life changing vision," said Hakan Edstrom, senior vice president and president of the surgical division of Bausch & Lomb. "Zyoptix goes beyond correcting refractive refractive capacity to refract light. refractive error a difference between the focal length of the cornea and lens, and the length of the eye, resulting in myopia or hyperopia. conditions to increase the possibility of actually improving the eye's visual capabilities to enable patients to see better than ever before. This technology reinforces and advances our commitment to provide refractive surgeons with the technologies to achieve 20/10 vision for their patients by 2010." Current LASIK surgery is accomplished through a set of algorithms or mathematic formulas that are pre-programmed into the laser's computer. These formulas are based on the average refractive errors generally found in patients undergoing LASIK surgery. Laser surgery using these average formulas produce very good results in a large number of patients. Pre-operative diagnostics, including topography, are routinely performed, but an analysis of the eye's entire optical system was simply unavailable. The Zywave offers a distinct new way of looking at the eye. The information gathered by the Zywave is combined with that of an advanced corneal mapping system, the Orbscan II. With this complete information of the eye's optical system, surgeons may now design individually tailored treatments for their patients rather than rely upon the basic laser algorithms. "The Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix system for the Technolas 217 laser represents the next significant milestone for laser vision correction with the ability to truly customize LASIK for each patient. Like matching a fingerprint, it provides a unique laser treatment plan for each eye to potentially achieve far better visual results than we have ever achieved before in a far safer manner," said Jeffery Machat, M.D., National Medical Director and co-founder of TLC TLC total lung capacity; thin-layer chromatography. TLC abbr. 1. thin-layer chromatography 2. Laser Eye Centers. Machat is the only surgeon in North America scheduled to perform this exciting procedure live during Videorefrattiva 2000. The Zywave The Zywave is Bausch & Lomb's newest diagnostic device designed to identify abnormalities throughout the entire optical system with the use of wavefront technology. The Zywave directs a beam of light into the eye that is then reflected off the retina to identify abnormalities. In eyes where there is an abnormality, the measurement of the variations between the actual direction of the beams of the outgoing beam of light, and their optimal positions, will determine the overall aberration of the eye. Orbscan II The Orbscan II is a multi-dimensional diagnostic system that enables eye surgeons to map both the anterior and posterior surface of the cornea cornea: see eye. . By mapping the entire corneal surface, the surgeon can detect any corneal imperfections in elevation or curvature that might impact the expected surgical results. Technolas 217 Excimer Laser A gas laser in which a very short electrical pulse excites a mixture containing a halogen such as fluorine and a rare gas such as argon or krypton. It produces a brief, intense pulse of ultraviolet light. Using innovative true scanning, flying spot technology, the Technolas 217 -- already a worldwide leading laser and recently approved for marketing in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. ) -- allows surgeons in the United States to treat nearsightedness nearsightedness or myopia, defect of vision in which far objects appear blurred but near objects are seen clearly. Because the eyeball is too long or the refractive power of the eye's lens is too strong, the image is focused in front of the ranging from -1.00 to -7.00 diopters and less than 3.00 diopters of astigmatism astigmatism (əstĭg`mətĭz'əm), type of faulty vision caused by a nonuniform curvature in the refractive surfaces—usually the cornea, less frequently the lens—of the eye. . In Europe, the system is used to treat up to -12.00 diopters of nearsightedness, up to +6.00 diopters of farsightedness farsightedness or hyperopia, condition in which far objects can be seen easily but there is difficulty in near vision. It is caused by a defect of refraction in which the image is focused behind the retina of the eye rather than upon it, either and up to 5.00 diopters of astigmatism. Clinical studies are underway for farsightedness and expanded ranges of nearsightedness in the United States. The only laser designed ergonomically for LASIK and featuring a proven LASIK algorithm, the 217 laser was recently proven in clinical studies to achieve uncorrected visual acuity visual acuity n. Sharpness of vision, especially as tested with a Snellen chart. Normal visual acuity based on the Snellen chart is 20/20. Visual acuity The ability to distinguish details and shapes of objects. results approximately 15 percent higher than the FDA benchmark. Clinical Goals Building on Bausch & Lomb's advanced laser eye surgery technology, the company's Zyoptix system was designed to: -- Enable surgeons to correct or greatly reduce refractive errors with the possibility to actually improve the visual performance of the eye. -- Reduce the potential for glare and halo by using wider optical zones and 15 percent to 20 percent less invasive treatment depths. -- Reduce the number of re-treatments by possibly helping patients achieve their desired outcome with primary treatments. U.S. Clinical Trials The Zyoptix system is not yet available for sale in the United States. Following the demonstration of Zyoptix at Videorefrattiva 2000, Bausch & Lomb plans to initiate clinical trials for this technology in the United States. The technology will be marketed outside the United States beginning in the second half of 2000. (a) This system is not available for sale in the United States. EDITORS' NOTE: Live Internet broadcast accessible. Interested media may register for needed software at blsurgical.com or specialtyMD.com or contact Paine & Associates at 714/427-3111 to receive a software CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). . A media player also is needed. The event will be archived for later viewing. This news release contains among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of Bausch & Lomb. Such statements involve a number a risks and uncertainties including those concerning economic conditions, currency exchange rates, product development and introduction, the financial well-being of key customers, the successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful implementation of the restructuring effort in reducing costs and expenses of manufacturing processes and administrative functions, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarter ended Dec. 25, 1999. Bausch & Lomb Inc. is the global technology-based healthcare company for the eye, dedicated to helping consumers see, look and feel better through innovative technology and design. Its core business include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The company is advantaged with some of the most respected brands in the world starting with its name, Bausch & Lomb, and including SofLens66(TM), PureVision(TM), Boston(R), ReNu(R) and Storz(R). Founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y., where it continues to have its headquarters, the company has annual revenues of more than $1.8 billion and employs approximately 12,000 people in 35 countries. Bausch & Lomb products are available in more than 100 countries around the world. |
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