VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Announces Presentations on Implantable Telescope for End-Stage Macular Degeneration at ARVO Annual Meeting

    SARATOGA, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- VisionCare Ophthalmic
 Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices for
 the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), announced today
 two presentations on its platform technology are scheduled at the upcoming
 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting
 May 6 - 10, 2007, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. VisionCare has filed a
 Premarket Approval (PMA) application amendment for the telescope prosthesis
 seeking marketing approval for the treatment of central vision loss due to
 advanced, irreversible forms of AMD.
     Presentations are scheduled at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward
 County Convention Center as follows:
     Monday, May 7, 8:30AM - 10:15AM
 
     Long-Term Visual Results and Post-Operative Patient Management Factors of
     a Telescope Prosthesis for End-Stage AMD
     S.A. Primo, R.D. Stulting, IMT002 Study Group. Emory University Eye
     Center, Atlanta, GA.
     Program#/Poster#: 1168/B14
     Session Number/Title: 215, Visual Function and Quality of Life I
     Location: Hall B/C
 
     Wednesday, May 9, 3:00PM - 3:15PM
 
     Evaluation of End-Stage AMD Implantable Telescope Eyes With Retinal and
     Anterior Segment OCT
     H.L. Hudson, IMT002 Study Group. Retina Centers PC, Tucson, AZ.
     Program#: 4441
     Session Number/Title: 464, Retinal Prosthesis
     Location: Grand Floridian B
     About the Telescope Prosthetic Device
     The investigational Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT(TM) by Dr.
 Isaac Lipshitz) is designed to be a permanent solution for moderate to
 profound vision loss due to advanced, end-stage forms of AMD that have no
 current surgical or medical treatment options. Smaller than a pea, the
 telescope prosthetic device is implanted in one eye in an outpatient
 surgical procedure. In the implanted eye, the device renders enlarged
 central vision images over a wide area of the retina to improve central
 vision, while the non-operated eye provides peripheral vision for mobility
 and orientation.
     The prospective, multicenter IMT002 Phase II/III trial was designed to
 evaluate the safety and efficacy of VisionCare's investigational medical
 device in individuals with moderate to profound bilateral central vision
 impairment associated with end-stage AMD. The trial enrolled over 200
 patients at 28 leading medical universities and ophthalmic centers across
 the country. VisionCare has filed a Premarket Approval (PMA) application
 amendment for the telescope prosthesis. The submission seeks marketing
 approval for the treatment of central vision loss due to advanced,
 irreversible forms of AMD. To date, no additional clinical investigations
 have been requested. Assuming no significant additional analyses or
 clinical data are required, the Company projects regulatory approval in the
 second half of 2007.
     About Macular Degeneration
     Macular degeneration is a disorder of the central retina, or macula,
 which is responsible for detailed vision that controls important functional
 visual activities like reading, recognizing faces, and watching television.
 According to the National Eye Institute over 1.7 million Americans over age
 50 suffer mild to profound vision loss from advanced AMD, which frequently
 culminates as end-stage AMD (visual impairment due to untreatable advanced
 AMD). Patients affected in both eyes often experience a loss of
 independence, social interaction, and have difficulty with activities of
 daily living requiring detailed vision. Approximately half of the
 individuals living with advanced AMD are affected in both eyes.
     About VisionCare
     VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Saratoga, CA
 is a privately-held company focused on development, manufacturing, and
 marketing of visual prosthetic devices. The Implantable Miniature Telescope
 was invented by company founders, Isaac Lipshitz, M.D., and Yossi Gross.
 Information on VisionCare can be found at http://www.visioncareinc.net.
 
 

SOURCE VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.