Dr. James J. Salz of Laser Eye Associates of Los Angeles Contributes to Milestone One Millionth Blade-Free LASIK Procedures

Los Angeles, CA (PRWeb) November 21, 2006 -- Dr. James J. Salz (www.drsalz.com) of Laser Eye Associates of Los Angeles is among a select number of ophthalmic surgeons whose work has contributed toward the milestone one millionth all-laser LASIK procedure using the IntraLase Method™, confirming the demand for IntraLase® FS laser technology, according to IntraLase Corp. (NASDAQ: ILSE). Dr. Salz was the first surgeon in Los Angeles, and one of the first in the entire country, to offer blade-free LASIK with the IntraLase Method.

The IntraLase FS laser is the first technology for a truly all-laser, blade-free LASIK procedure, replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade historically used in creating LASIK corneal flaps - the first step of the procedure - with a computer-guided, ultra-fast femtosecond (fem-to-second) laser. The IntraLase laser virtually eliminates the most severe sight-threatening LASIK complications related to use of the microkeratome and, by creating an optimal corneal surface below the flap, provides for better visual outcomes - taking many patients to 20/20 vision and beyond.

"We have seen a significant improvement in our visual acuity outcomes and a meaningful reduction in our LASIK complication rate using the IntraLase Method," said Dr. Salz. "The blade-free approach is a very comforting message to patients, since it addresses one of their primary obstacles - fear of the surgery. Offering the IntraLase all-laser LASIK platform has been a very positive experience for our patients, referring doctors and surgeons."

In addition to the Laser Eye Associates of Los Angeles, the IntraLase FS laser technology has been adopted by such top ophthalmic teaching institutes as Duke University Medical School, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami, and Stanford University, all of which use the technology to train future generations of LASIK surgeons.

Blade-Free Safety and Better Vision with All-Laser LASIK.

According to Dr. Salz, the 4th Generation IntraLase FS laser uses an infrared light beam, generating 60,000 pulses per second, to prepare the intracorneal bed and create the corneal flap in the first step of LASIK.

·Using an "inside-out" process, the laser beam is precisely focused to a point within the cornea.

·The laser pulses then create thousands of microscopic bubbles which define the incision within the intracorneal surface.

·Along the edge, bubbles are then stacked up at a beveled angle - a feature unique to the IntraLase Method - to the corneal surface to complete the flap.

·From start to finish, the IntraLase Method typically takes 15 - 30 seconds.

·The physician then exposes the prepared corneal bed for excimer laser treatment (the second step of LASIK) by lifting the flap.

·The LASIK procedure is complete when the flap is securely repositioned on its beveled edge.

With the IntraLase laser, the surgeon can precisely control the critical first step of LASIK. Physician-programmed laser specifications include flap diameter, depth, hinge location and width, and side-cut architecture - factors which can be varied to meet patients' needs. The IntraLase laser creates a distinctive beveled-edge flap, which allows for precise repositioning, alignment and seating after LASIK is completed. This feature reduces the risk of flap displacement, a complication seen with microkeratome flaps.

"The IntraLase laser makes LASIK safer by replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade with the computer-guided precision of a laser," said Dr. Salz, noting that the completion of approximately one million IntraLase Method procedures demonstrates an impressive safety profile for patients. LASIK with the advanced IntraLase Method, he added, also has been clinically proven to deliver better visual outcomes in both standard and Custom LASIK procedures with more patients achieving visual acuity of 20/20, 20/15 and even 20/12.5.

About Laser Eye Associates of Los Angeles, Inc.

Laser Eye Associates of Los Angeles, Inc. ("Laser Eye Associates") is an association consisting of about 30 LASIK and laser eye surgeons in the Beverly Hills/Los Angeles area. Laser Eye Associates is one of the few laser vision centers in the world with 3 different FDA approved excimer laser systems (Alcon, Visx and Alegretto): a femtosecond laser (Intralase) for creating the LASIK flap without a blade; (2) a Holmium laser system for treating low degrees of hyperopia; and (3) the only FDA approved procedure for treating presbyopia (the condition which requires reading glasses after age 40 the Refractec Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) instrument. Dr. James J. Salz is currently President of Laser Eye Associates and a shareholder of the company.

About Laser Vision Medical Associates

Laser Vision Medical Associates, Inc. (Laser Vision Medical Associates) (www.drsalz.com) is the refractive surgery medical private practice of Dr. James J. Salz, M.D. It services patients in the Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Orange County regions of Southern California. Dr. James Salz, M.D. is the President and primary physician who performs laser vision surgery for the company. Dr. Salz has been researching and publishing studies as well as performing refractive surgery, including LASIK, for over 20 years. Dr. Salz is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California and Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Research at the Discovery Fund for Eye Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He has been the principal investigator for several major studies, including 8 FDA excimer laser studies, STAAR Surgical Implantable Contact Lens for Hyperopia FDA clinical trial. Dr. James Salz has been a paid consultant to Visx, and Alcon. Dr. James Salz is an expert of special interest in all aspects of refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK, and Phakic implants. Dr. James Salz is also an expert in cataract surgery and lens implantation as well as medical legal matters and device and method patents related to ophthalmology. Dr. James Salz has an extensive listing of publications he has written or edited (www.drsalz.com/publications.htm), and spoken at hundreds of meetings concerning LASIK and other laser eye surgery procedures in the United States and abroad. For more information about Dr. Salz and LASIK and other laser eye surgery procedures, please visit www.drsalz.com. For information about Dr. James Salz's unique qualifications for LASIK , please see www.drsalz.com. Laser Vision Medical Associates performs its LASIK and laser eye surgery procedures at Laser Eye Associates.

Source: Laser Vision Medical Associates
Laser Vision Medical Associates
Attn: Dr. James Salz
240 S La Cienega Blvd. Suite 250
Beverly Hills,CA 90211

Contact: Donna Jones
Phone: (310) 360-0609

Website: www.drsalz.com

Contact: Donna Jones
Phone: (323) 653-3800

About IntraLase Corp.

IntraLase designs, develops, and manufactures an ultra-fast laser that is revolutionizing refractive and corneal surgery by creating safe and more precise corneal incisions. Delivering on the promise of ophthalmic laser technology, the IntraLase FS laser, related software, and disposable devices replace the hand-held microkeratome blade used during LASIK surgery. The unsurpassed accuracy of IntraLase's computer-controlled femtosecond laser has been shown to improve safety profiles and visual outcomes when used during LASIK. Additionally, the IntraLase FS laser creates precision-designed intracorneal incisions that when combined can be used during lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty, and intrastromal ring implantation. IntraLase is presently in the process of commercializing applications of its technology in the treatment of corneal diseases that require corneal transplant surgery. The company's proprietary laser and disposable patient interfaces are presently marketed throughout the United States and 32 other countries. IntraLase is headquartered and manufactures its products in Irvine, California. For additional information, visit the company's web site: www.intralase.com.

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