FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The LADARVision(R) 4000 system, manufactured and marketed by Alcon, Inc. , has been inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame, a program of the Space Foundation managed in cooperation with NASA, that recognizes the innovative application of space technologies in the development of commercial products.
The LADARVision(R) 4000 system, used by eye surgeons worldwide to perform LASIK or laser vision correction, employs a tracking device which uses the same laser radar technology originally developed to help NASA spacecraft rendezvous and dock with satellites during service calls.
During LASIK surgery, the LADARVision(R) system’s tracking device allows eye surgeons to track involuntary eye movements at a rate of 4,000 times per second, 15 times faster than any other LASIK system used today.
“Accurate tracking of eye movements during laser eye surgery is a critical aspect of this delicate procedure,” explains Stephen Brint, MD, one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to perform LASIK, and the lead investigator of clinical trials involving LADARVision(R). “The human eye moves 100 times per second, and, without a sophisticated tracking system to lock onto the eye and remain fixed on its movements, the laser used to reshape the cornea during LASIK could become misaligned and deliver a very poor outcome.”
LADARVision(R), approved by the FDA in 1998, is the only laser eye surgery system that uses this innovative laser radar tracking technology. All other LASIK systems use slower, video-based tracking systems, which require surgeons to frequently and abruptly stop the LASIK procedure when the video-based system is unable to keep pace with the eye’s movements.
“The advent of laser eye surgery revolutionized the field of ophthalmology, and the LADARVision(R) 4000 system, with its unique tracking technology, represents an unsurpassed technological contribution in this field,” Dr. Brint says.
The LADARVision(R) system was developed to work seamlessly with other anticipated advances in laser eye surgery, such as new wavefront technology recently approved by the FDA. During a wavefront-guided LASIK procedure, proper alignment of the laser beam is again crucial, as it can help to reduce visual irregularities, such as glare, halos and night vision problems.
“It is a great honor for an Alcon product to be inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame,” said Bill Barton, Vice President and General Manager, Alcon Surgical Division. “This award validates the technological achievements embodied by the LADARVision(R) system, and is an example of the creativity of our scientists in R&D, who were able to convert a seemingly unrelated technology into an important tool for ophthalmology.”
Alcon, Inc. is the world’s leading eye care company. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 50 years, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.
About Alcon
Alcon, Inc. is the world’s leading eye care company. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for over 50 years, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon has been conducting retinal research for more than 15 years and is the world’s leading provider of surgical equipment used by vitreoretinal specialists who treat patients with AMD and other retinal diseases.
About the Space Foundation
The Colorado Springs, Colorado-based Space Foundation is a national non- profit organization, which vigorously advances civil, commercial and national- security space endeavors and educational excellence. For more information, visit http://www.spacefoundation.org/ or http://www.spacetechhalloffame.org/ .
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating principally to our ability to successfully market and sell the system for wavefront-guided laser eye surgery. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by our forward- looking statements. These statements reflect the views of our management as of the date of this press release with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions in the United States and internationally; technological advances attained by our competitors; challenges inherent in new product marketing; and government regulation and legislation. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
For information about Alcon, contact: Doug MacHatton (Investor Relations) 800-400-8599 News Media and other inquiries: Mary Dulle (Public Relations) 817-551-8058 or pager 817-418-8990 mary.dulle@alconlabs.comhttp://www.alconinc.com/
Alcon, Inc.
CONTACT: investor relations, Doug MacHatton, +1-800-400-8599, or publicrelations, Mary Dulle, +1-817-551-8058, or pager, +1-817-418-8990, ormary.dulle@alconlabs.com , both of Alcon, Inc.