STAAR Surgical's VISIAN ICL to be Featured on CBS 'Early Show'

STAAR Surgical's VISIAN ICL to be Featured on CBS 'Early Show'

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, announced that a surgical implantation of its VISIAN ICL will be featured tomorrow, Friday August 8th on the CBS Television Network "Early Show." The CBS "Early Show" has focused all week on a series the show has called "Medical Miracles" and tomorrow's segment will be the final one in the series. This segment shows an unusual procedure in which Dr. Paul Dougherty of Los Angeles uses the lens to treat a seven-year-old girl at risk of visual loss in one eye because of amblyopia, a condition sometimes called "lazy eye."

The VISIAN ICL is a tiny, foldable implantable lens that has been approved by the FDA for the correction of myopia, or nearsightedness, in adults aged 21 to 45. The VISIAN ICL is not approved for the treatment of amblyopia; however, studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals have explored the use of refractive surgery, including implantation of the VISIAN ICL, for hard-to-treat amblyopic children.

"Because of the superb vision quality it delivers, an increasing number of my adult patients with myopia are now choosing the VISIAN ICL to correct their vision," Dr. Dougherty noted. "The procedure does not remove tissue or reshape the eye. So while the lens is designed to remain in the eye permanently, an appealing feature for many of these patients is the fact that it can be removed if the patient's vision changes or for any other reason, which keeps future treatment options open."

About the VISIAN ICL

The VISIAN ICL is a refractive phakic implant intended for placement in the posterior chamber of the eye. The approved models are indicated for the correction of myopia in adults with myopia ranging from -3.0 to less than or equal to -15.0 diopters, with astigmatism less than or equal to 2.5 diopters at the spectacle plane, and the reduction of myopia in adults with myopia ranging from greater than -15.0 to -20.0 diopters with astigmatism less than or equal to 2.5 diopters at the spectacle plane, in patients 21 to 45 years of age with anterior chamber depth (ACD) 3.00 mm or greater, and a stable refractive history within 0.5 diopters for one year prior to implantation.

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. 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/.

CONTACT: Investors Media
EVC Group EVC Group
Douglas Sherk, 415-896-6820 Steve DiMattia, 646-277-8706
Dahlia Bailey, 415-896-6820 Christopher Gale, 646-201-5431

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Source: STAAR Surgical Company

CONTACT: media, Steve DiMattia, +1-646-277-8706, or Christopher Gale,
+1-646-201-5431, or investors, Douglas Sherk, +1-415-896-6820, or Dahlia
Bailey, +1-415-896-6820, all of EVC Group, for STAAR Surgical Company

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

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