VisionCare Appoints Industry Veterans, Mark Forchette, and John Ryan of ONSET Ventures to its Board of Directors

SARATOGA, Calif., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, today announced two changes to its Board of Directors. Ophthalmic industry veteran, Mark Forchette has joined the board in a new seat; John Ryan is filling ONSET Ventures existing board seat.

Mark Forchette brings thirty years of experience in ophthalmic sales, marketing and business unit management, and has driven commercial success at three ophthalmic companies. Mr. Forchette joined OptiMedica in 2007 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under Mr. Forchette's direction and leadership, the company developed and launched breakthrough technologies in the retinal laser photocoagulation market and the femtosecond laser cataract surgical market. OptiMedica's retina and glaucoma segment was acquired by TopCon Corporation of Japan in 2010; its laser cataract surgical business was acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2013. Prior to OptiMedica, Mr. Forchette held executive sales and marketing positions at Alcon and Swiss company, Grieshaber & Co., Inc. Mr. Forchette received a B.S. in Marketing from Auburn University and completed the Harvard Program for Management Development. He currently serves on the Deans Advisory Council of the Harbert School of Business at Auburn University.

"We are very pleased to have Mark join our Board of Directors," commented Allen W. Hill, VisionCare's President and CEO. "His deep understanding of the ophthalmic market and experience working with retinal and anterior segment surgeons will help VisionCare drive continued adoption of our CentraSight treatment program and provide life-changing therapy to end-stage AMD patients."

"VisionCare's telescope implant is impressive technology that is already making a significant difference in the quality of patients' lives. I am excited to be part of this team to help insure that patients with the advanced form of macular degeneration that can benefit from CentraSight are able to experience the remarkable improvements in quality of life that this technology can deliver," stated Mr. Forchette. 

John Ryan is a partner at ONSET Ventures. He has spent over 20 years focused on the founding, building and financing of companies across many sectors of the healthcare industry at stages ranging from the earliest company formation to the largest industry leaders. Prior to ONSET, Mr. Ryan led the venture investing efforts in the medical device sector for Panorama Capital, JPMorgan Partners and Chase Capital Partners. Prior to that, he worked with Morgan Stanley Venture Partners and before that with Morgan Stanley's healthcare investment banking group.

Mr. Ryan is a board member for Relievant, Valeritas and Vertos Medical. He also serves on the board of organizations such as Mills-Peninsula Health Services hospital organization (a Sutter Health affiliate) and the University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office. Mr. Ryan holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree with high honors from the University of Colorado.

"ONSET Ventures has been behind us since our early days and we are very pleased to have John Ryan join our board," said Mr. Hill.

About VisionCare
VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Saratoga, CA, is a privately-held company focused on development, manufacturing, and marketing of implantable ophthalmic devices and technologies that are intended to significantly improve vision and quality of life for individuals with end-stage age-related macular degeneration. VisionCare's Implantable Miniature Telescope was invented by company founders Yossi Gross and Isaac Lipshitz. Information on VisionCare can be found at www.visioncareinc.net. 

About the CentraSight Treatment Program
CentraSight is a first-of-kind treatment program that utilizes a tiny telescope implant for end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.  Patients with End-stage AMD have a central blind spot or missing area in their vision that makes it difficult or impossible to see faces, read, and perform everyday activities. The CentraSight treatment program allows patients to see details again by implanting a tiny telescope in the eye in an outpatient procedure, then coordinating with low vision specialists to help the patient learn how to use their new vision for everyday activities. Patients and physicians can learn more by visiting www.CentraSight.com or calling 1-877-99-SIGHT.

About ONSET Ventures
ONSET Ventures specializes in providing start-up, follow-on, and intellectual capital to entrepreneurs and early-stage technology ventures.  ONSET helps transform world-class ideas into sustainable and valuable businesses, through a process of "venture craftsmanship."  The firm has partnered with start-ups since 1984 and has more than $1 billion under management.  ONSET Ventures is located in Menlo Park, California.  For more information, visit: www.onset.com.

SOURCE VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.