PRK & LASIK for Hyperopia from Visx thread ...
Interesting dialog quoted from yesterday's VISX thread (ordered earliest to latest). Dr. Andrew Richman is saying nearly the same thing on the Visx thread that Dr. MacFarland said at the SNRS shareholder's meeting regarding the use of PRK and LASIK for hyperopia. Note the concurrence by those that are long Visx.
To: +Jim Mac (634 ) From: +admr Thursday, Jul 16 1998 11:30AM ET
I read your post. Going forward visx will do well with incresaing nearsighted patients using th excimer laser. However, the use of the excimer laser in hyperopia, presbyopia is a difficult procedure, invasive and not without complications. The Sunrise Tech Laser using LTK Holmium laser will be the laser of choice for the above indications. It is much easier to use, less complications. I believe they are submitting to the FDA in October with approval in 1999. The excimer will get approval this year but for hyperopia, presbopia and overcorrection resulting from PRK and Lasik treatments for myopia its clear that the Sunrise Laser will be used. The excimer will be for these indications be obsolete in six months.
Andrew Richman M.D,
To: +Daryl Gresham (0 ) From: +admr Thursday, Jul 16 1998 11:41AM ET
Visx will do very well going forward but only for myopia. The use of the excimer laser in patients with hyperopia, presbyopia and for the corection of overcorrection resulting from PRK and Lasik treatments for myopia is a very difficult procedure, invasive and not without complications. The treatment of choice I believe will be the Sunrise Tech's LTK Holmium laser. So far no complications, and an easier procedure and the laser is cheaper. I understand that they submit to the FDA in October with approval in 1999. The excimer laser will be obsolete for the above indications before it even gets approval.
To: +admr (654 ) From: +Jim Mac Thursday, Jul 16 1998 4:12PM ET
I wouldn't be surprised by that scenario. On the other hand, SNRS likely won't have many systems in place until year 2000, while Visx already has hundreds in place that can do hyperopia (very well) starting later this year upon approval and training.
Do you know what the percentage of hyperopics is who have astigmatism? My understanding is that the SNRS system can't treat that.
To: +Jim Mac (657 ) From: +admr Thursday, Jul 16 1998 4:53PM ET
I don't know that percentage. What I do know is that the use of the excimer laser in hyperopia is very invasive and has had lots of complications. Snrs just contacted with Omnicom for marketing.
It seems to me with the visx stock close to 70 they should buy snrs and lock up the market for hyperopia and presbyopia. A surgeon friend of mine with experience with both lasers says that you have to be out of your mind to use the excimer laser when the LTK process with the Holmium laser is so much easier, cheaper, less invasive with much better results. Snrs I.m told expects to be listed on the Nasdaq soon. The Snrs laser I'm told is about 200,000 dollars also much cheaper for the individual ophthalmogist so they might get better market penetration. Lots of luck any other thought would be appreciated.
To: +admr (658 ) From: +ajs Thursday, Jul 16 1998 5:41PM ET
Would Sunrise still have to pay visx for the patent rights ?
To: +ajs (659 ) From: +admr Thursday, Jul 16 1998 7:17PM ET
Snrs will charge for each procedure when using their laser just as visx charges. Sunrise owns the patents, they get paid. |
