IRIDEX Granted U.S. Patent for MicroPulse™ Technology - A Fine Dose Control Technology Enabling Tissue Sparing Eye Surgeries With Visible Lasers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced the receipt of issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, titled "Laser System with Short Pulse Characteristics And Its Method Of Use." This patent applies to the company's MicroPulse™ technology which provides the ophthalmologist with fine dose control of laser energy during eye surgery. Ophthalmologists are using MicroPulse technology to treat patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy and other sight-threatening retinal and glaucoma disorders. Treatments using MicroPulse technology demonstrate favorable outcomes and significantly less damage to healthy retinal structures compared to traditional continuous wave laser treatment.

"MicroPulse technology enables Tissue Sparing Photocoagulation, a controlled laser dosing approach which induces the long-term benefits of laser procedures with no detectable tissue damaging side effects," commented Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO. "The company has developed this technology over a number of years using infrared laser systems and its clinical efficacy has been reported in over 45 peer reviewed publications. Extending our MicroPulse technology from our infrared laser systems to our visible laser systems and being granted a patent to protect this proprietary technology for visible laser systems is important because the majority of lasers sold today are visible wavelength laser systems."

"It is our profound belief that lasers that support Tissue Sparing Photocoagulation can provide greater benefits to patients than lasers have in the past," continued Mr. Boutacoff, "and consequently lasers will remain the standard of care for the treatment for many ocular disorders."

"Laser products such as our IQ 577 that incorporate MicroPulse control technology covered by this patent have recently been introduced to the market. The first study of the IQ 577 performing a Tissue Sparing Photocoagulation procedure using MicroPulse mode was reported at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting held earlier this year.  Dr. Andre Maia of the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil reported treating patients with chronic central serous chorio-retinopathy (CSC) using our IQ 577 laser system in MicroPulse mode with the following results: (1) all patients had complete resolution of their symptoms; (2) there was functional visual improvement; and (3) there were no signs of laser marks on the treated areas by clinical examination or fluorescein angiography.*"

* Maia AM, Penha FM, Regatieri CVS, Cardillo JA, Farah ME. MicroPulse 577nm – Yellow Laser Photocoagulation for Central Serous Chorio-Retinopathy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.2010 51: E-Abstract 4273.

This newly issued patent describes visible wavelength lasers capable of delivering laser energy in the form of a user selectable packet, or train, of discrete pulses rather than merely as a single uninterrupted optical exposure (dose) as offered by visible laser photocoagulators using earlier technology. Users can conveniently adjust all MicroPulse parameters, including duration, interpulse interval, and amplitude or, alternatively, can simply choose one of many personalized or factory installed presets to adjust all of these parameters automatically. Moreover, this MicroPulse mode can be activated or deactivated at the touch of a button, facilitating both conventional and MicroPulse laser delivery from a single console and delivery device.

About IRIDEX

IRIDEX Corporation was founded in 1989 and is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems and delivery devices. We provide solutions for multiple specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology. We maintain a deep commitment to the success of our customers, with comprehensive technical, clinical, and service support programs. IRIDEX is dedicated to a standard of excellence, offering superior technology for superior results. IRIDEX products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally through a combination of a direct sales force and a network of approximately 100 independent distributors into 107 countries. For further information, visit the Company's website at http://www.iridex.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, relating to the Company's clinical results that may be obtained by using the Company's products and the standard of care for treatment of ocular disorders.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Please see a detailed description of these and other risks contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2010. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and will not be updated.

SOURCE IRIDEX Corporation