FOR RELEASE 4/2/2009, Thursday
SAN FRANCISCO, April 2 -- Over 1,000 cataract surgeons will attend a live surgery and symposium at a San Francisco hotel Friday night. They will observe two surgical procedures conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Whitman broadcast live from Key Whitman Eye Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Whitman will implant a Crystalens, the only FDA approved accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) in one patient and an Akreos™ AO (Advanced Optics) lens in another patient. Surgeons will be able to observe and discuss the surgery during the Friday evening event.
"I'm honored to be sharing this experience with the surgeons who will be watching live in San Francisco. It promises to be an excellent experience for all of us. This opportunity to observe and discuss a surgery benefits both surgeons and our cataract and presbyopic patients," said Dr. Jeffrey Whitman.
The live surgery and symposium - entitled "Premium Solutions for Cataract Surgery” - will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco on Friday night, April 3. It is being sponsored by Bausch & Lomb. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s (ASCRS) Annual Meeting is being held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and has attracted thousands of surgeons to the Bay Area.
"Bausch & Lomb is pleased to be the sponsor for the live surgery and symposium. There are many premium solutions available to cataract surgeons. Events like these that let surgeons share new surgical techniques and ideas with each other benefit all of us in the industry, particularly the patient," said Michael Judy, chief marketing officer for Bausch & Lomb Surgical.
There are 3 million cataract surgeries every year. A cataract is a clouding on the normally clear lens in your eye. When it forms, the natural lens in the patient's eye is replaced by an intraocular lens. Advertising research indicated that only a small fraction of people realized that not all intraocular lenses are the same. The research also indicated that a number of patients are willing to pay a little extra money in order to get the best vision.
Crystalens® is the only FDA approved accommodating intraocular lens. Unlike the standard cataract replacement lenses, Crystalens not only eliminates the patient's cataract but also gives the patient full range of vision so that the patient can see near, far and everything in between. Many Crystalens patients hardly ever need their glasses or contacts again.
The Akreos AO (Advanced Optics) lens - also made by Bausch & Lomb - is the next step on the path to sub 2 mm microincision cataract surgery. It provides exceptional vision quality and contrast sensitivity with an aberration-free design.
In both surgeries, the patient's natural lens will be removed by the Stellaris™ Vision Enhancement System which creates a removal incision of only 1.8 mm, which is the smallest incision currently available to surgeons and their patients. The smaller incision complements the surgical technique and helps develop positive patient results.
For more information about the Crystalens HD and the Akreos AO lens and the Stellaris, please visit www.bauschsurgical.com
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About Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the Company employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the company can be found at www.bausch.com.
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