LASIK in the News ARCHIVE

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. October 19, 2000 VISX, Inc. announced today that the FDA has approved the use of its VISX STAR^TM excimer laser systems as safe and effective for the treatment of hyperopic (farsighted)astigmatism.

Previously, on November 3, 1998 - VISX received FDA approval for the use of its VISX STAR S2 Excimer Laser System^TM as safe and effective for the treatment of from 1 to 6 diopters of hyperopia, (farsightedness), with up to 1 diopter of astigmatism.

Now, in addition to that, the VISX Star Excimer Laser Systems^TM are now also indicated for the correction of between +0.50 D and 5 D of sphere with refractive astigmatism, from +0.50 D to 4 D with a maximum manifest refraction spherical equivalent of 6 Diopters.

The indication is also approved for the company's latest state of the art laser system, the STAR S3 ActiveTrack^TM, with Wavefront Technology and tracking beam.

Commenting on the approval, Liz Davila, President and Chief Operating Officer of VISX, said, "We are extremely pleased to add another FDA-approved indication to our product offering. The ability to treat (a greater level of) hyperopic astigmatism on the VISX STAR laser systems will benefit our customers and their patients."

VISX is the worldwide leader in the development of refractive laser technology. VISX continues to hold its position as the #1 company in the US that has the widest treatment range available, that is approved by the FDA to treat all 3 refractive errors - myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and mixed astigmatism.

Phil Galewitz -- ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux had laser surgery to correct his vision in July. He won nine of his next 10 games. Tiger Woods had the operation in October. He won his next six PGA tournaments. Coincidence?

No one knows for sure, but hundreds of athletes in sport after sport -- baseball, golf, auto racing and even kickboxing -- are turning to the surgery to boost their performance.

(Pro Athlete patients) are helping to accelerate public acceptance of the surgery. "This is the best thing I ever bought myself," said Maddux, who now has 20-15 eyesight and says he can focus on home plate better than ever.

This year about 1.5 million blurry-eyed Americans are expected to have the operation in hopes of throwing away their glasses and contacts, up from 1 million in 1999.

The most popular procedure is called LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis. It refers to the process of cutting a flap in the cornea -- the eyeball's outer coating -- and reshaping it with a sharp laser beam. It costs about $1,800 to $2,500 per eye.

While LASIK is fast and painless, for the most part, there can be complications for a small number of patients. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 1 percent to 5 percent develop things such as blurred vision and nighttime glare. (This is one more reason why it's so important to have a fellowship-trained Cornea and External Eye Disease Specialist perform the procedure.)

Experts also caution the surgery is not for everyone. While teen-agers might want to emulate their favorite athlete, doctors (tend to) discourage it for anyone under 20 because their eyesight may still be changing. Also doctors rule out some people because of the curvature and thickness of the cornea.

As the number of doctors performing the procedure has increased, consumers are seeing more advertising with celebrity endorsements. TLC Laser Centers, based in Canada, has signed endorsement deals with Woods and LPGA golfer Se Ri Pak.

Woods had worn contacts throughout his career, causing him problems when allergies kicked in. He also said it had been difficult to gauge long putts, but the eye surgery gives him a clearer view of the course. "Now that I'm normal, one of the things that appears to me is the slopes are bigger, objects are bigger," Woods said in a recent interview. "The hole is bigger, the ball is bigger, clubs are bigger."

Wally Joyner had the surgery in November 1998, and opened the 1999 season with the Padres in a deep slump, batting .221 over the first six weeks of the season. But he blamed earlier shoulder surgery, not his eyes. "Last week, when I struck out three times, I saw every pitch," he told the Union-Tribune at the time. "I just couldn't swing. That had nothing to do with my eyes.

Dr. Robert Maloney, a Los Angeles ophthalmologist, said celebrities are a distinct drawing card. "The acceptance by professional golfers has brought a huge number of amateur golfers into our practice," said Maloney, who has also performed the procedure on musicians Kenny G. and Barry Manilow.

New York Yankees slugger Bernie Williams said he carefully researched the procedure before having it done in November. "It's nothing short of miraculous," Williams said. "I saw the success a lot of people have had with it. I did some research, I talked to doctors, other patients, other players who've had it, and I got enough confidence in the whole thing to get it done."

Maddux said not having to wear glasses or contacts makes it easier to pitch, especially in bad weather. But he seems more excited about how the operation has changed his time off the mound. "It's just little things," Maddux said. "Watching TV. Putting your shirt on without taking your glasses off. Just a bunch of nit-picking things that really don't mean a whole lot, but when you add them all together, it's a great convenience."

The trend has also helped manufacturers of the lasers prosper. VISX, the market leader, saw its fourth-quarter profits rise 50 percent, to $25.8 million.

Here is another recent news release, detailing the latest development in wavefront technology, which takes the notion of perfect vision to a new plateau:

"Our agreement with 20/10 Perfect Vision is truly groundbreaking," said Liz Dávila, president and COO, VISX. "By joining forces with the inventors of wavefront technology, we feel we have developed the ultimate team to refine wavefront technology specifically for use in refractive applications."

The Choice of More Doctors.

VISX invented the technology for laser vision correction more than 15 years ago. Today, VISX is the choice of more eye doctors for their patients. Plus, thousands of eye doctors and their staffs have had laser vision correction themselves, and have trusted their eyes to VISX.

Dr. Miller is proud to offer Laser Vision Correction to qualified candidates, with the assurance that all patients will receive the most reasonable and safest treatment possible. When Dr. Miller's wife (Kathryn M. Miller, MD – one of San Diego’s top ENT surgeons) elected to have Laser Vision Correction in early 1998, Dr. Miller was faced with the decision of finding the best surgeon in town with the best laser in town to perform the surgery. Dr. Miller performed the procedure himself and today his wife sees 20/15 (better than 20/20) in each eye without glasses. At The Eye Center, all patients are treated like family.

The procedure itself takes only seconds under the skilled eye and hands of an experienced surgeon and cornea specialist, like Robert Rende, MD. To maximize precision, safety and cost savings for the patient, Dr. Miller performs all his LASIK procedures at the San Diego Eye Bank’s new, state-of-the-art laser center.This enables Dr. Miller's patients to achieve excellent results and the highest level of satisfaction.

The VISX laser has FDA approval to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. And to use the VISX laser, a doctor must become VISX certified, which requires a thorough certification process. Dr. Miller, himself, became certified immediately after FDA approval was received. That's why more people in the United States have been treated with the "gold-standard' VISX laser than all others combined. Bottom line: VISX is the most trusted laser vision correction company.

VISX received its first U.S. Food and Drug Administration market approval in 1995 and was the first laser manufacturer with approval to treat low, moderate and high myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia.

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