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Biotech / Medical : SNRS- Sunrise Technologies -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Katz R Us who wrote (2333)	4/20/1999 2:36:00 AM
From: gcrieff	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 4140

from bloomberg SEATTLE, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 ophthalmologists from throughout the world were recently treated to an evening at the Seattle Space Needle where they learned more about a new process for the non-incisional treatment of hyperopia or farsightedness. The process called Laser Thermal Keratoplasty (LTK(TM)) is currently undergoing review by the Food and Drug Administration. The ophthalmologists were in Seattle for the 25th annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS). The Sunrise LTK(TM) System differs from other systems utilizing the excimer laser (PRK and LASIK) and traditional incisional surgeries (Radial Keratotomy) because no corneal tissue is cut or removed. It is an office-based instrument that applies two rings of laser energy to the mid-periphery of the cornea. Each ring of energy is applied in 1.4 seconds and gently heats collagen in the cornea to change corneal shape. The application of energy is accomplished without physically contacting the cornea with instrumentation or any other apparatus. The patient sits upright opposite the ophthalmic surgeon, and total chair time, including focusing, is designed to be less than five minutes. C. Russell Trenary III, President and CEO of Sunrise stated, "We are deeply gratified by the turnout at this event. It indicates to us the tremendous interest within the ophthalmic community in this treatment modality. Sunrise is excited at the prospect of assisting ophthalmologists in providing an elegant and patient friendly way to correct mild to moderate hyperopia." Several ophthalmologists at the Space Needle gathering expressed their enthusiasm for LTK. Mitchell A. Jackson, M.D., a Chicago area ophthalmologist, whose practice concentrates on laser vision correction, said, "I'm looking forward to offering this option to many of my patients who are looking for an end to farsightedness." Shachar Tauber, M.D., Director of Refractive Surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine stated, "We are entering into a new millennium with a new modality of treatment for those who have trouble seeing to put in contacts or applying makeup. I am looking forward to adding this treatment to my refractive practice." Frank Goes, M.D., an ophthalmologist from Belgium, who utilized LTK in his Antwerp practice said, "I am very pleased with the outcomes for my LTK patients. They got immediate results from this painless and quick procedure." Hyperopia affects about 200 million persons in the Americas and Europe. The typical patient is over 40 years old and hyperopic between +.75 to +2.50 diopters. When approved, Sunrise believes the LTK methodology will represent an excellent option available for correcting mild hyperopia and possibly future indication of presbyopia. The Sunrise LTK(TM) System is presently being marketed in over 15 countries, with over 4,000 eyes treated successfully. Sunrise is awaiting word from the FDA on the next milestone for the premarket approval application, which is a meeting with the FDA's Ophthalmic Devices Panel. The Panel will meet and review Sunrise's application to determine whether to recommend that the FDA approve the file. The application was submitted last December for FDA review. The FDA announced last January that Sunrise's PMA was suitable for filing. Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including market potential, regulatory clearances, business growth, and other risks listed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment, as of the date of this release, and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. SOURCE Sunrise Technologies International, Inc.