Friday December 4, 8:01 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Summit Technology Steals the Show At AAO
With Live Laser Surgeries, Strategic
Acquisitions, Ophthalmic Innovations
Medical Thoughtleaders and Industry Analysts from Around the World Participate in
Summit Programs
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 4, 1998-- As part of its ongoing Summit Fellowship Program to
provide practicing ophthalmologists with timely educational information about the latest advances in laser
refractive surgery, Summit Technology hosted a variety of popular lectures and training sessions for doctors and
industry experts at the recently-concluded annual American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting in New
Orleans.
The programs, which were all heavily attended and in many cases over-subscribed, included an ''Excellence in
LASIK'' didactic course, clinical wetlabs, a Resident and Fellow Didactic Certification Course, several booth
lectures, Expert Breakfast and a User meeting. Featured speakers were prominent refractive surgeons from the
United States and around the world and included Dimitri Azar, M.D., Vance Thompson, M.D., Michael Lawless,
M.D., Francesco Carones, M.D., Charlie Moore, M.D., and Thomas Clinch, M.D.
Summit Technology generated additional excitement and very heavy booth traffic with the acquisition of the
Krumeich-Barraquer microkeratome and the planned acquisition of Autonomous Technologies Corporation
[Nasdaq:ATCI - news]. The Krumeich-Barraquer microkeratome was demonstrated at booth wetlabs, where it was
used on animal eyes by many doctors.
Summit also unveiled a number of modular upgrades to its Apex Plus platform, including a well-received new
microscope with projected illuminated reticle. ''These acquisitions will not only broaden our strategic business
base, but enable us to better service our customers by providing them with the industry's most advanced
technology,'' said Verne Sharma, President of Summit. ''At the same time, we are extending the strength and
competitiveness of our proven Apex Plus platform.''
Summit also sponsored two live refractive laser surgeries to an audience assembled in New Orleans as part of the
International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) meeting, and via satellite to the ophthalmological medical
community across the nation. The procedures were performed by Stephen Brint, M.D. and Daniel Durrie, M.D.
''We have the highest commitment to providing the ophthalmic community with superior products and services,
backed up by world-class professional education programs,'' said Mr. Sharma. ''Sponsoring courses and seminars
at the AAO meeting through our Summit Fellowship Program is one of the many ways we equip physicians and
their staff with leading-edge technological, clinical and practice development information that can contribute to
superior patient care and enhance their practices.''
Founded in 1985, Summit Technology is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of ophthalmic laser
systems designed to correct common vision disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
In 1995, Summit was the first excimer laser company to receive FDA approval for its excimer laser system for the
correction of mild to moderate myopia in the U.S. In addition, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lens Express,
Summit sells contact lenses and related products.
Cautionary Statement Under ''Safe harbor'' Provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements made in this news release contain information about the Company's future business prospects. These
statements may be considered ''forward looking''. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such forward looking
statements. Among these risks and uncertainties are: competition from other manufacturers and vision correction
technologies, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, challenges to patents owned or licensed by the Company
affecting per procedure revenues and adverse litigation results. For additional information and risks associated
with the Company's business, prospects, and future operating results, please refer to Summit's annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Contact:
Summit Technology, Inc.
Kate Burnham, 781/672-0518
or
Cone Communications
Nicole Poisson, 617/227-2111 x330 |
