SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2006--IntraLase Corp.
today announced that with the introduction of its 4th Generation FS
Laser, a system that allows for a 100 percent blade-free LASIK
procedure, it is solidifying its position as the technology of
choice among the nation's top LASIK doctors and ophthalmic teaching
institutions. The new IntraLase FS Laser is twice as fast as its
predecessor and will be unveiled at this week's American Society of
Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting (March 18-22)
at the Mosconi Center (Booth 226).
As the launch of the new laser takes place, IntraLase reflects on a
year of milestone achievement with many of the industry's major
indicators pointing to the IntraLase Method(TM) as the emerging
standard of care in LASIK surgery. With record sales of 156
IntraLase FS Lasers worldwide and an impressive 338,000 blade-free
LASIK procedures sold last year, the company saw a remarkable
increase in market share penetration in 2005. Approximately 25
percent of all LASIK procedures performed in the U.S. incorporated
the advanced IntraLase Method - an increase of 56 percent over 2004.
LASIK Industry Leaders Champion IntraLase Method as Gold
Standard
The safety and superior outcomes of the IntraLase FS Laser
continue to win over leading LASIK doctors and ophthalmic teaching
institutes across the country. Approximately 52 percent of Cataract
and Refractive Surgery Today's 50 Most Influential Ophthalmologists
and 17 leading teaching institutions have adopted LASIK with the
advanced IntraLase Method as their technology of choice, including
the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, the Bascom Palmer Eye
Institute at University of Miami, and Stanford University. Duke
University is the 18th and most recent ophthalmic teaching
institution to acquire an IntraLase FS Laser. "At Duke University,
we provide our residents and fellows in training, who we consider to
be the next generation of leaders in our field, the most advanced
environment for learning technological advances in refractive
surgery," stated Alan N. Carlson, M.D., chief of the corneal and
refractive surgery service at the Duke University Eye Center. "The
IntraLase FS Laser has not only demonstrated its contribution to a
better LASIK procedure, but also to advancing other corneal
procedures. We believe that IntraLase will fuel future ophthalmic
advancements and continue to benefit patients around the world."
"The ability to perform a blade-free LASIK procedure is a big
benefit to the ophthalmic practice in that the IntraLase technology
instills confidence in both the doctor and the patient. There is no
question that it is emerging as the technology of choice in LASIK
care," said Roger F. Steinert, M.D., director of cornea, refractive
and cataract surgery at the University of California at Irvine and
president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive
Surgery. "Our students train with the IntraLase Method and I believe
that the ophthalmic doctors of the future will perform blade-free
LASIK procedures exclusively."
Further evidence of the growing pervasiveness of the IntraLase
Method is the recently announced agreement with TLCVision Corp. (NASDAQ:TLCV
- News; TSX:TLC - News), the largest provider of laser vision
correction services in North America, which includes a laser
commitment across all of their refractive service models over the
next two years.
Technology Overcomes Tradition as IntraLase Reduces the LASIK
Fear Factor
The risks associated with the hand-held microkeratome blade
historically used to create the LASIK corneal flap have, quite
naturally, instilled a certain amount of fear and hesitancy in
potential patients. Replacing the blade with the IntraLase FS Laser
virtually eliminates the majority of the most severe
sight-threatening LASIK complications and, by creating an optimal
corneal surface below the flap, provides for better visual outcomes
- taking many patients to 20/20 vision and beyond.
"Even with all of the information available to consumers today
about LASIK, patients continue to be surprised to learn that,
traditionally, there is a blade involved in the procedure," said
Daniel S. Durrie, M.D., of Durrie Vision in Overland Park, Kan. and
clinical associate professor, ophthalmology, University of Kansas
Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. "Patients are so relieved to hear
about the safety and results provided by the IntraLase Method; it is
no wonder that 100 percent of the LASIK procedures I perform are
blade free."
IntraLase's Innovation and Initiative Result in the 4th
Generation FS Laser System
Doubling the speed of the first laser used to create LASIK's
corneal flap reduces the flap procedure time to less than
approximately 15 seconds while maintaining the procedure's excellent
safety profile and visual outcomes. The power and precision of the
4th Generation FS Laser System enable the doctor to create a
tighter spot pattern that facilitates the lifting of the flap, and
reduces the potential and/or severity of post-operative inflammation
- all with the only patented technology that enables a 100 percent
blade-free LASIK procedure.
"The 4th Generation FS Laser, which comes just 11 months after
the introduction of our 30 kHz laser, demonstrates our commitment to
the rapid development of our femtosecond technology," said Robert J.
Palmisano, president and CEO of IntraLase. "Our commitment to
innovation is focused on the fast delivery of the laser's benefits
to doctors and patients."
Beyond LASIK: IntraLase FS Laser Adapts For Use in Corneal
Transplants and More
The IntraLase FS Laser is the first femtosecond laser cleared for
use in a variety of refractive and corneal surgeries. In addition to
LASIK, the IntraLase technology is used to create incisions for
lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty, intrastromal ring
implants and for the preparation of the donor tissue used in corneal
transplants. The first corneal transplant cases using IntraLase's
ultra-fast laser have been successfully performed in patients,
marking the first major technology advancement in corneal transplant
surgery in more than five years. Full global launch of this new
therapeutic application is expected in Fall 2006.
"Throughout our clinical work using the IntraLase technology in
advanced corneal transplants, we have been impressed by the laser's
ability to create contoured full-thickness resections," said William
W. Culbertson, M.D., professor of ophthalmology at the University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine and director of the Bascom Palmer
Eye Institute Laser Vision Center in Miami. "The precision and
sophistication of this remarkable surgical tool makes it possible to
create the desirable top hat configuration that, until now,
represented a significant challenge for the doctor. The versatility
of this laser allows for further innovations and advanced
configurations developed by ophthalmologists in the future."
About IntraLase Corp.
IntraLase designs, develops, and manufactures an ultra-fast laser
that is revolutionizing refractive and corneal surgery by creating
safe and more precise corneal incisions. Delivering on the promise
of ophthalmic laser technology, the IntraLase FS Laser, related
software, and disposable devices replace the hand-held microkeratome
blade used during LASIK surgery. The accuracy of IntraLase's
computer-controlled femtosecond laser has been shown to improve
safety profiles and visual outcomes when used during LASIK.
Additionally, the IntraLase FS Laser creates precision-designed
intracorneal incisions that when combined can be used during
lamellar and penetrating keratoplasties and intrastromal ring
implantation. IntraLase is presently in the process of
commercializing applications of its technology in the treatment of
corneal diseases that require corneal transplant surgery. The
company's proprietary laser and disposable patient interfaces are
presently marketed throughout the United States and 26 other
countries. IntraLase has headquarters in and manufactures its
products in Irvine, Calif. For additional information, visit the
company's Web site:
www.intralase.com.
