IRIDEX Files Suit Against Synergetics USA, Inc.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IRIDEX Corporation today announced that it filed suit on October 19, 2005 against Synergetics USA, Inc. of St. Charles, Missouri for infringement of the IRIDEX Patent No. 5,085,492 entitled "Optical Fiber with Electrical Encoding" covering its laser probe technology. This intellectual property is embraced in the IRIDEX EndoProbe(R) products and other IRIDEX laser delivery devices.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and seeks monetary damages as well as a permanent injunction against continued infringement by Synergetics for the sale of its Quick Disconnect laser probes and its Quick Disconnect Laser Probe Adapter. This infringement includes not only selling or offering to sell, but also manufacturing a variety of products falling within the scope of the '492 patent.

"Over the years, IRIDEX has invested significantly in its intellectual property, as evidenced by the fact that we have 17 issued patents and at least three others in the application process," said Barry G. Caldwell, President and CEO of IRIDEX. "Although discussions with Synergetics have been ongoing for some time regarding this infringement, those discussions have proven to be unproductive. As a result, we have filed this lawsuit today. We believe that the loss of past and future revenues and profits for IRIDEX, combined with the strength of our intellectual property, justify this action. There is always a risk associated with litigation, but we believe that Synergetics clearly infringes our intellectual property, which we intend to vigorously defend."

The patented IRIDEX EndoProbe product line is used during endophotocoagulation, an ophthalmic surgical procedure performed in the hospital operating room or surgery center. The use of EndoProbe handpieces with IRIDEX laser consoles has been validated and shown to satisfy the FDA and other regulatory agencies' requirements for laser and medical safety. This validation process demonstrates the accuracy of delivered laser power and protects against inadvertent laser emission whenever the delivery device is connected.

About IRIDEX

IRIDEX Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of semiconductor-based laser systems for the ophthalmology and dermatology markets. IRIDEX products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally through a network of independent distributors into more than 100 countries. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.iridex.com.

Contact: Larry Tannenbaum Chief Financial Officer 650-940-4700

CONTACT: Larry Tannenbaum, Chief Financial Officer of IRIDEX Corporation,+1-650-940-4700

Web site: http://www.iridex.com/