New Treatment for Farsightedness Offered by USC/DohenyRefractive Laser Medical Center; First...

LOS ANGELES--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 3, 1998--Laser eye treatment pioneers at the USC/Doheny Refractive Laser Medical Center have received FDA approval to offer a new laser procedure for treating hyperopia, or farsightedness.

Tuesday's announcement by the FDA regarding the VISX Excimer Laser

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, farsightedness affects about 22 percent of all Americans, with most people developing the condition in their early 40s. In anticipation of the FDA's announcement, the USC/Doheny Center has assembled a waiting list of candidates eager to undergo the newly approved procedure.

"We're looking forward to helping people with farsightedness see clearly without glasses or contact lenses," said Peter J. McDonnell, M.D., medical director of the USC/Doheny Refractive Laser Medical Center and professor of Ophthalmology at the USC School of Medicine. "Finally we can provide them with the enormous benefits of laser vision correction."

Patients undergoing laser correction for farsightedness experience significant vision improvement -- enough to pass most states' driver's tests without wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. Data show that 92 percent of patients who had the surgery saw with vision of 20/40 or better. The procedure is minimally invasive with little or no side effects.

"The laser's proven efficiency, safety and stability offer people with farsightedness the best opportunity for long-term correction," said William N. May, M.D., president and co-founder of USC/Doheny Refractive Laser Medical Center.

"With the addition of laser surgery for farsightedness, nearly every person requiring vision correction can discard their glasses, contact lenses and other 400 year old technology," added Warren C. Stout, M.D., the center's executive vice president.

The VISX Excimer Laser is the same laser system that is already used to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Tuesday's FDA approval means that very few people, regardless of their condition, will be excluded from the benefits of laser vision correction.

The USC/Doheny Refractive Laser Medical Center is affiliated with the world-renowned Doheny Eye Institute at the USC School of Medicine. The center's doctors have pioneered clinical investigation of excimer laser procedures for treating a range of vision problems.

Highlights include performing the first excimer laser procedure in the Los Angeles area, publishing the first text book on excimer laser surgery, and providing on-going education to physicians on the latest advances in the field. The center's physician network consists of university-trained doctors who provide patient care throughout Southern California.

Patients interested in learning more about laser vision correction may contact the USC/Doheny Refractive Laser Medical Center at 323/442-6377 or 800/4-SC-EYES or www.usc.edu/go/sc-eyes.

NOTE TO EDITORS/PRODUCERS: McDonnell, May and Stout, as well as numerous patients, are available for interview. First-person accounts by reporters having the surgery can also be arranged. B-roll and camera ready graphics are available and cameras are welcome in the operating room. For more information, call Erik Deutsch at Tellem Inc., 323/935-1725