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1/15/2006 - New Vision Correction Technology

January 11, 2006 (Wilmington, NC) – The FDA has announced the approval of the STAAR Surgical Myopic Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), which is indicated for the correction of myopia in adults. The lens is composed of a proprietary biocompatible material, and is the first foldable lens of its kind to be introduced in the US market. The lens' design allows for a minimally invasive procedure for patients 21 to 45 years old. “The ICL may be implanted through an incision up to 50% smaller than competing technology, and its placement in the eye behind the iris provides a more aesthetically pleasing outcome” said Dr. Alan Brown of Surgical Eye Care. Additionally, the Visian ICL has been cleared for sale in 41 other countries and more than 40,000 successful implantations have been performed worldwide to date. Dr. Alan Brown and Dr. Laura Harris of Surgical Eye Care, PA are the first doctors to offer this in the Coastal Carolina region. “We are most excited about the FDA Approval of the ICL because we finally have a technology that can help people with higher prescriptions”, said Dr. Harris. “Higher myopic patients, who were unable to have LASIK, now have an option for vision correction!” The approved models are indicated for the correction in adults with myopia ranging from -3.0 to less than or equal to -15.0 diopters and the reduction of myopia in adults with myopia ranging from greater than -15.0 to -20.0 diopters. Dr. Brown and Dr. Harris believe the ICL offers visual outcomes compared with competing technology. This characteristic will be an important growth driver of the refractive phakic implant market.