LaserSight Incorporated Signs Agreement for Strategic Alliance With Humphrey Systems.ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1998--Laser technology innovator LaserSight Incorporated signed an agreement with Humphrey Systems that enables the two companies to develop and market software to be used for 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). topography-planned ablations to correct refractive errors. The agreement establishes an exclusive agreement between the two companies, and allows for the line of topography-planned software for Humphrey Systems to be available only on LaserSight's laser platform that is sold throughout various countries in international markets. Humphrey Systems is a world leader in ophthalmic diagnostic systems and is a company of Carl Zeiss Group, an international optics and technology firm. Topography-planned ablations represent the future of the laser vision correction industry in that this procedure allows 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. surgeons to map each patient's unique eye-related coordinates prior to performing the procedures. In effect, surgeons can custom-tailor the ablation to each eye and reshape the cornea cornea: see eye. accordingly. Currently, corneas are treated with symmetrical excimer ablation patterns that are not customized. "LaserSight's scanning technology represents the future for 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. refractive surgery Refractive surgery A surgical procedure that corrects visual defects. Mentioned in: Photorefractive Keratectomy and Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis refractive surgery ," says Lothar Koob, president of Humphrey Systems. "Humphrey's powerful topography system, combined with their scanning platform, will set the standard for laser refractive surgery." "We value our partnership with Humphrey due to their proven record of technology innovation, and because their stellar marketing and sales infrastructure is one of the best worldwide," says Michael Farris, LaserSight president and chief executive officer. "Topography-planned ablations only work with the precision of the latest technology that uses higher resolution, small-spot scanning delivery systems, unlike the first-generation broad-beam technologies currently offered," adds Farris. "This means that surgeons who purchase our laser system packaged with Humphrey software will be securing a distinct marketing advantage while also providing the service that consumers will demand as awareness increases of this enhanced technique." Senior managers at LaserSight and Humphrey believe topography-planned ablations are imperative to having the best outcomes and that this approach will truly revolutionize refractive surgery. The majority of refractive surgery patients, and especially those who have specific irregularities, could benefit from topography-planned ablations, says Dr. Jack Holladay, a well-known ophthalmologist ophthalmologist /oph·thal·mol·o·gist/ (of?thal-mol´ah-jist) a physician who specializes in ophthalmology. oph·thal·mol·o·gist n. A physician who specializes in ophthalmology. and corneal specialist at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and researcher of topography-planned systems. "I'm enthused about what LaserSight and Humphrey are doing because the best combination for surgeons would be topography-planned ablation implemented on a small-diameter scanning laser," says Dr. Holladay. "That system would be the ultimate tool in tailoring refractive treatments." Dr. Holladay cites Dr. George Waring's research related to the classification of normal corneal topography, which indicated that nearly 40 percent of the typical population has irregular astigmatism irregular astigmatism n. Astigmatism in which different parts of the same meridian have different degrees of curvature. problems that would significantly benefit from topography-planned ablations. California-based Humphrey Systems is a company of Carl Zeiss Group and is committed to the worldwide development, manufacturing and distribution of ophthalmic products that meet customers' expectations through value, service and innovation. LaserSight Incorporated provides quality technology solutions for laser refractive surgery and other innovative applications, especially in the vision correction industry. The company sells its products in more than 30 countries. LaserSight's laser system has an investigational device exemption An Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) allows the investigational device to be used in a clinical study in order to collect safety and effectiveness data required to support a Premarket Approval (PMA) application or a Premarket Notification [510(k)] submission to Food and status for clinical trials in the United States and is currently not available in that market. This March, the company submitted its pre-market approval application for the scanning laser system to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and it was accepted for filing in May. This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future performance of the company, which involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. Investors should refer to documents that the company files from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of certain factors that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such filings include, without limitation, the company's Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. , Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. and Form 8-K reports. CONTACT: LaserSight Incorporated Julie Tockman, APR APR See: Annual Percentage Rate Director, Corporate Relations 314/469-3220 Ext. 3060 Visit us on the Internet at www.lase lase - /layz/ To print a given document via a laser printer. "OK, let's lase that sucker and see if all those graphics-macro calls did the right things." .com |
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