Customized LASIK Surgery
Receives FDA Approval

Kansas City specialist is one of four surgeons in US initially performing eagerly anticipated procedure

OVERLAND PARK, KS (October 21, 2002) Alcon, Inc. announced Friday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Alconýs customized wavefront-guided laser eye surgery application. This is the first approval for customized LASIK surgery using the latest advancement in pre-operative wavefront measurement and an excimer laser for the treatment. Daniel S. Durrie, MD, medical director of refractive surgery at The Hunkeler Eye Institute and founder of Durrie Vision, P.A., served as one of only four U.S. clinical investigators of the technique during clinical trials, and the only surgeon west of New Orleans performing the procedure initially.

"Wavefront-guided customized laser surgery has the potential to improve visual acuity and enhance overall vision quality as compared to todayýs conventional LASIK," Dr. Durrie said. "Treating optical aberrations, which impact low-contrast visual activities such as night driving, will improve the patientýs quality of vision. The ophthalmic community has eagerly anticipated this technology."

The custom treatment combines new, pre-operative wavefront technology with the latest generation of small-beam, flying-spot lasers. The objective of custom LASIK is to take laser vision correction to the next level of quality and safety.

If you are a member of the media, please contact Mike Jensen at 913-558-9643, or e-mail mjensen@wtads.com.