New Survey Shows Many U.S. Adults with Impaired Eyesight Worried about Seeing in an Emergency; Vision Care Preparedness Goes Beyond Extra Glasses and Contacts to Permanent Corrective Options via Enhanced LASIK Procedures.

IRVINE, Calif. -- Growing Number of Emergency Workers Choosing LASIK with the IntraLase Method(TM) to Provide Optimum Safety and Service to Others

IntraLase Corp. (Nasdaq:ILSE) today announced survey results concluding many U.S. adults would not feel capable without their glasses or contact lenses during emergency situations. More than one-half (52 percent) of U.S. adults who wear corrective lenses say they would feel worried (40 percent), fearful (22 percent) and/or powerless (18 percent), if they lost or did not have access to their corrective lenses during an emergency. In fact, only one-third (31 percent) of adults who wear corrective lenses say they would feel capable in an emergency if they didn't have or lost their corrective lenses. With recent events focusing attention on disaster readiness, vision care is an important and often overlooked consideration in preparedness.

Nearly one-third (29 percent) of respondents who wear corrective lenses say they are considering LASIK to avoid having problems seeing in an emergency. Interest in having LASIK to avoid problems in an emergency was highest among males ages 35 to 44 (42 percent)(a).

Additional key survey findings include:

--40 percent of adults who wear corrective lenses reported being worried about losing their glasses or contacts in a disaster.

--Nearly a quarter (23 percent) said they would feel lost if they didn't have their glasses/lenses in an emergency.

--22 percent say they would feel fearful.

--18 percent say they would feel powerless.

IntraLase Method of Blade-Free LASIK Offers Safer Procedure and Better Vision

More than a half-million, blade-free LASIK vision correction procedures have been performed to date -- a procedure that is only possible with the IntraLase FS (femtosecond) laser. This ultra-fast laser is proven to virtually eliminate most severe, sight-threatening LASIK complications, making the procedure a far safer treatment option for the 34.4 million nearsighted and 21.1 million farsighted Americans. More IntraLase Method LASIK patients achieve 20/20 or better vision than with even the most advanced microkeratome (blade) technology.

"While LASIK has always been a safe and effective procedure, the IntraLase Method offers patients the benefits of LASIK without the blade," said Stephen Updegraff, M.D., medical director of Updegraff Vision in Tampa, Fla. "With its enhanced safety profile and superior visual outcomes, the IntraLase Method is the procedure of choice for patients considering LASIK."

Emergency Workers Choosing LASIK with the IntraLase Method to See Clearly on the Frontline

Ophthalmologists also are seeing increasing numbers of police and firefighters having LASIK with the IntraLase Method, as those who respond to emergencies are looking to free themselves of corrective lenses that may hamper their ability to perform their duties.

Ron Reyna, a major in the U.S. Army Reserve and police officer from Jefferstontown, Ky., struggled with wearing thick prescription glasses since the fourth grade. Contact lenses did not work for him, and glasses were difficult to wear on the job. However, two separate incidents made him realize the potential hazard of wearing glasses. Once while pursuing a suspect on foot, Reyna feared losing his lenses and becoming vulnerable to an attack due to his 20/400 eyesight. On another night, he was awoken by his house alarm and, in the hurry to make sure his daughters were safe, he dropped his glasses to the floor.

"Being able to properly see is perhaps one of a police officer's strongest weapons. Having to wear glasses was not just a hassle, but a real detriment to my safety on the job," said Reyna. "I chose LASIK with the IntraLase Method after getting recommendations from my doctor and from others who had had the procedure. Now, whether I'm chasing a suspect or protecting my family, I can concentrate on what I'm doing and not worry about losing my glasses."

Another emergency worker, firefighter David Knecht from Brecksville, Ohio, had become increasingly frustrated with the constant need to adjust his glasses while working, especially when wearing an air mask. Since having his vision corrected with LASIK using the IntraLase Method, Knecht has realized how much time was wasted fumbling for his glasses when getting a late-night call. Whether he is rushing into a smoke-filled building or simply diving into a pool with his family, Knecht no longer worries about his glasses, giving him more freedom both on and off the job.

How LASIK with IntraLase Method Works

The IntraLase FS laser is used in the important first step of the two-step LASIK procedure, the creation of a corneal flap. The second step involves reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. Historically, the first step was performed using a microkeratome, a hand-held device with an oscillating metal blade. While LASIK has proven to be a successful and relatively safe procedure, the majority of complications -- and patient concerns -- have been associated with use of the microkeratome.

The IntraLase laser eliminates the use of a microkeratome and its blade. With the IntraLase Method, the surgeon precisely controls the first step of LASIK using a computer-controlled laser that delivers rapid pulses of light, a quadrillionth of a second each, to a pre-programmed depth and position within the cornea. Each pulse forms a microscopic bubble. As the IntraLase laser moves back and forth across the eye, the bubbles are connected to form a corneal flap. Just prior to vision correction, the doctor gently lifts the flap to reveal a smooth corneal bed.

Physician-programmed laser specifications include flap diameter, depth, hinge location and width, and side-cut architecture -- factors which can be varied to meet the individual patient's needs. The IntraLase laser also creates a distinctive beveled edge flap, which allows for precise repositioning, alignment and seating after LASIK is completed.

The IntraLase laser prepares an optimal corneal surface below the flap, and in clinical studies this resulted in superior visual outcomes. This benefit was seen when the IntraLase laser is used during either standard LASIK or custom LASIK procedures.

Survey Methodology

Harris Interactive(R) fielded the study on behalf of IntraLase Corp. from Oct. 7-11, 2005, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus, interviewing a nationwide sample of 1,367 U.S. adults (18+) who wear corrective lenses. Data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the overall results have a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points of what they would be if the entire population of U.S. adults who wear corrective lenses had been polled with complete accuracy. Sampling error for the males ages 35-44 sub-sample (97) is plus or minus 16 percentage points. This online sample is not a probability sample.

(a) Low base. Data should only be used directionally.

About IntraLase Corp.

IntraLase designs, develops, and manufactures an ultra-fast laser, related software, and disposable devices used to create a corneal flap, the first step in LASIK surgery for the correction of vision. The company's products improve the safety, precision, and visual results of LASIK procedures by providing a computer-controlled laser solution in place of the hand-held mechanical, metal-bladed microkeratome traditionally used to create corneal flaps. IntraLase lasers are also used in surgical approaches to the treatment of diseased corneas. The company's lasers and disposable per procedure patient interfaces are presently marketed throughout the United States and 23 other countries. IntraLase has headquarters and manufactures its products in Irvine. For additional information, visit the company's Web site: www.intralase.com.

About Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, N.Y., is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.

Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (www.novatris.com), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "project," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the degree of continued acceptance of LASIK surgery; potential complications revealed by long-term follow up; the extent of adoption of our product offering by LASIK surgeons; general economic conditions; changes in federal tax laws governing the ability of potential LASIK patients to use pre-tax dollars to pay for LASIK surgery; the scope of government regulation applicable to our products; patients' willingness to pay for LASIK surgery; our ability to compete against our competitors; the effectiveness of our measures to ensure full payment of procedure fees; the occurrence and outcome of product liability suits against us; our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; whether we become subject to claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of others; the continued availability of supplies from single-source suppliers and manufacturers of our key laser components; the ability of our managers, operations, and facilities to manage our growth; the success of our expansion into markets outside the United States; whether we lose any of our key executives or fail to attract qualified personnel; or if our new products or applications fail to become commercially viable.

Certain of these risks and uncertainties, in addition to other risks, are more fully described in the company's quarterly report on form 10-Q for the period ending Sept. 30, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 8, 2005.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.