Alcon, Inc., (NYSE:ACL) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the AcrySof(R) Toric intraocular lens (IOL) for use in cataract patients with pre-existing corneal astigmatism.
The AcrySof(R) Toric lens is based on the AcrySof(R) single-piece IOL design and acrylic material platform. The lens incorporates an optical design that corrects for pre-existing astigmatism in cataract patients resulting in significantly improved distance visual outcomes.
"Approval of the AcrySof(R) Toric IOL is an important addition to our AcrySof(R) IOL product portfolio and further demonstrates our commitment to helping cataract surgeons achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients," said Robert J. Stevens, vice president, surgical products research and development, Alcon, Inc.
The company is targeting a commercial launch of the AcrySof(R) Toric lens in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) in March of 2006. In the interim, the company will continue to pursue approval of a blue-light absorbing chromophore to be incorporated in the AcrySof(R) Toric lens and expand physician experience with the lens.
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About Alcon
Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company with sales exceeding $3.9 billion in 2004. Global sales of its intraocular lenses, primarily the AcrySof(R) family of lenses, totaled more than $580 million in 2004. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for over 50 years, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.alconinc.com.
Michigan Eye Institute is a leading regional eye care center, offering complete optical, medical and surgical eye services in Flint, Fenton, Lapeer, Grand Blanc and Oxford. All Doctors are Board Certified. State-of-the-art facilities accomadate every aspect of primary and specialty eye care.
