MONROVIA, Calif., April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- STAAR Surgical Company , a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, plans a major presence at this year's American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, which will be held April 4-9, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, it was announced here today by Barry Caldwell, President & CEO of STAAR. The Company's plans include sponsoring a certification course for refractive surgeons on the Company's Visian ICL(TM) (Implantable Collamer Lens), the full launch of its nanoPOINT delivery system, demonstrating the new NTIOL designation for the Collamer IOL and the launch of an exciting new marketing program designed to help surgeons build their Visian practice.
"Our plans at ASCRS focus on building our U.S. growth for the Visian ICL, launching our new nanoPOINT delivery system, which can inject the current STAAR Collamer Single Piece intraocular lens (IOL) through a 2.2 mm incision compared to the current requirement of a 2.8 mm to 3.0 mm incision, and capitalizing on the recent NTIOL designation for the Afinity Collamer Aspheric foldable IOL Model CQ2015A. It should be a very active and productive conference for STAAR Surgical," added Mr. Caldwell.
In addition to the certification course on the Visian ICL, STAAR will be introducing a nine- part ICL Growth Program for refractive surgeons. The webinar/conference call program features Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler and focuses on the key elements required to build a successful Visian ICL practice. Dr. Boxer Wachler has developed a very successful Visian ICL practice and was recently featured on the NBC News "Today" show performing bilateral implants of the Visian ICL in his office suite. "In addition to the Today show, the Visian ICL has been featured on numerous shows during the first quarter. Between ABC news in San Francisco, Fox News in Orlando and the Modern Beauty Show on the Style Channel three additional Visian ICL procedures will have aired this month. The ICL Growth Program is designed to help interested surgeons capitalize on the growing consumer awareness of the Visian ICL's benefits and continue our recent progress in the U.S. market. We are so pleased that Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler has agreed to chair this series and share how he has made the Visian ICL a key part of his refractive practice," added Mr. Caldwell.
Many surgeons believe that smaller incisions help reduce surgically induced astigmatism, improve chamber maintenance during the surgical procedure, reduce the risk of infection and reduce healing time for the patient. STAAR Surgical's launch of the micro-incision nanoPOINT delivery system follows a successful pre-release marketing evaluation.
About STAAR Surgical
STAAR is a leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of minimally invasive ophthalmic products employing proprietary technologies. STAAR's products are used by ophthalmic surgeons and include the Visian ICL, a tiny, flexible lens implanted to correct refractive errors, as well as innovative products designed to improve patient outcomes for cataracts and glaucoma. Manufactured in Switzerland by STAAR, the ICL is approved by the FDA for use in treating myopia, has received CE Marking and is sold in more than 40 countries. More information is available at http://www.staar.com.
Safe Harbor
All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations, statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include our limited capital resources and limited access to financing, the challenge of managing foreign subsidiaries, the willingness of surgeons and patients to adopt a new product and procedure and other factors beyond our control, including those detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. STAAR assumes no obligation to update these forward- looking statements to reflect future events or actual outcomes and does not intend to do so.
CONTACT: Investors, Doug Sherk, +1-415-896-6820, or Matthew Selinger,
+1-415-896-6817; or Media, Steve DiMattia, +1-646-277-8706, or Chris Gale,
+1-646-201-5431, all of EVC Group
Web site: http://www.staar.com/
