LONDON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) , a global ophthalmic surgical and eye care products company, announced today from the XXIV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) the launch of the TECNIS(R) CL intraocular lens (IOL). The TECNIS(R) CL IOL is the latest advance to the TECNIS(R) silicone IOL.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050324/AMOLOGO )
Design enhancements of the new TECNIS(R) CL IOL include:
* Blue modified C PMMA haptics for better visibility and easier
implantation of the lens
* Frosted OptiEdge(TM) design for reduced edge glare and reduced posterior
capsule opacification
* Proven patented silicone material for long-term biocompatibility
performance
The TECNIS(R) CL IOL can be implanted with the UNFOLDER(TM) Silver Series Implantation Systems and the Silver Advanced Cartridge through a 2.8mm incision. It permanently replaces both the Z9000 and Z9001 TECNIS(R) silicone IOL models.
"The TECNIS(R) CL IOL provides the same FDA-approved claims and excellent outcomes as the original TECNIS(R) lens but with a more user-friendly design," said AMO Corporate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Russ Trenary. "We expect the TECNIS(R) CL lens to speed surgeon migration from older-generation silicone lenses to the superior TECNIS(R) optical design. The launch of the TECNIS(R) CL lens is an excellent example of how we're continuing to refine our IOL offerings through disciplined product lifecycle management."
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended New Technology Intraocular Lens (NTIOL) status to the TECNIS(R) CL lens in August. The TECNIS(R) and TECNIS(R) CL lenses are the first and only FDA-approved IOLs with claims for reduced spherical aberration, improved functional vision and improved night driving simulator performance.
NTIOL designation provides for additional Medicare reimbursement of $50 per lens for ambulatory surgical centers, which perform more than half of all cataract surgeries in the United States. An NTIOL is defined as an IOL that CMS determines has been approved by the FDA with labeling and advertising claims of specific clinical advantages and superiority over existing IOLs with regard to reduced risk of intraoperative or post-operative complication or trauma, accelerated postoperative recovery, reduced induced astigmatism, improved postoperative visual acuity, more stable postoperative vision, or other comparable clinical advantages.
The TECNIS(R) CL IOL is available now in Europe and AMO plans to begin shipping the lens next month in the United States, Canada and Asia Pacific, and to Japan by mid-2007. For more information, visit: http://www.tecnisiol.com/.
About Advanced Medical Optics (AMO)
AMO is a global medical device leader focused on the discovery and delivery of innovative vision technologies that optimize the quality of life for people of all ages. Products in the cataract/implant line include intraocular lenses, phacoemulsification systems, viscoelastics, and related products used in cataract and refractive lenticular surgery. Products in the laser vision correction line include laser systems, wavefront diagnostic systems, microkeratomes and related products used in corneal refractive surgery. AMO owns or has the rights to such ophthalmic surgical product brands as ReZoom(TM), Clariflex(R), Sensar(R), CeeOn(R), Tecnis(R) and Verisyse(TM) intraocular lenses, STAR S4 IR(TM) laser vision correction system, WaveScan Wavefront(R) System, CustomVue(TM) procedure, Sovereign(R) and Sovereign(R) Compact(TM) phacoemulsification systems with WhiteStar(R) technology, Amadeus(TM) and Amadeus(TM) II microkeratomes, Healon(R) viscoelastics, and the Baerveldt(R) glaucoma shunt. Products in the contact lens care line include disinfecting solutions, enzymatic cleaners and lens rewetting drops. Among the eye care product brands the company possesses are COMPLETE(R) Moisture PLUS(TM), COMPLETE(R) Blink-N-Clean(R), Consept(R)F, Consept(R) 1 Step, Oxysept(R) 1 Step, UltraCare(R), Ultrazyme(R), Total Care(TM) and blink(TM) branded products. Amadeus is a licensed product of, and a trademark of, SIS, Ltd. AMO is based in Santa Ana, California, and employs approximately 3,600 worldwide. The company has operations in 24 countries and markets products in approximately 60 countries. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.amo-inc.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about AMO, including Mr. Trenary's statements and those relating to the launch and features of the product. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on estimates and assumptions and represent AMO's judgment only as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ from current expectations based on a number of factors including but not limited to market developments, expanded clinical experience, unexpected delays in manufacturing, and unexpected regulatory or quality issues. Therefore, the reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. AMO disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Additional information concerning these and other risk factors may be found in previous financial press releases issued by AMO and AMO's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in AMO's 200 Form 10-K filed in March 2006. Copies of press releases and additional information about AMO are available at http://www.amo-inc.com/, or by contacting AMO's Investor Relations Department by calling 714-247-8348.
Investors:
Sheree Aronson
(714) 247-8290
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