News & Events
Product Launch of the TECNIS IOL
New advancements in lens implant technology was a hot topic at this year’s ASCRS meeting in Chicago. The Tecnis Z9000 intraocular lens was one of this years most discussed IOLs.
Because cataract surgeons are using advances in technology to address higher-order optical aberrations, the measurement of functional vision is becoming increasingly important. Contrast sensitivity testing is assuming a prominent place in our evaluation of surgical modalities, because it reflects functional vision and correlates with visual performance.
The development of the Tecnis Z9000 intraocular lens (Pfizer, New York) is the first step in integrating wavefront technology and cataract surgery. The Tecnis is the first foldable IOL designed to correct higher-order optical aberrations.
This lens has been designed with a modified prolate anterior surface to compensate for the spherical aberration of the cornea, which will eliminate total ocular spherical aberration.
Several studies have shown that correction of spherical aberration using an IOL with a modified anterior surface leads to significant improvement in quality of vision in pseudophakia. This has been demonstrated by contrast sensitivity testing and night driving simulation.
Additionally, clinical data shows that the modified prolate IOL provides superior functional vision and improved visual performance when compared with conventional spherical IOLs.
Opticall Launches Ace Program
For over six years now, the good folks at Opticall continue to deliver an average 85% conversion rate from inquiry to consult for over 100 practices nationally. Our team has fielded literally hundreds of thousands of refractive calls. Our system and approach have had a fantastic impact for practices that have entrusted us to handle their new patient inquiries. But that's not the only way.
Learn about Opticall's Program Actual Consumer Experience. We call it ACE for short! We'll soon teach you how to motivate your own crew to answer their calls, while providing added value on each call, capturing valuable leads, and maximizing the consumer experience.
ACE, Actual Consumer Experience is just that! Your real calls are reviewed and analyzed based on a proven system geared toward all-encompassing improvement and increasing your Refractive and LASIK volume.
Here is what our clients are saying:
“Just a quick note to tell you we are very pleased with the results of your ACE program! The training has been great! The weekly monitoring and feedback of calls has dramatically decreased loss leads and encouraged our call center staff to make the most of each call! In a time when advertising costs are so high and rumors in our market report a downward turn, we’re experiencing increases in LASIK volume!” Many thanks! Miriam Moore, Director of Patient Services
”Opticall and the ACE program has, in 3 months, resolved issues that I have had on my phones for 13 years! I'm very happy with the ACE program." - Ken Moadel, MD
AMO announces recall
AMO Announces Voluntary Recall of Complete® MoisturePlusT Multipurpose Solution
(SANTA ANA, CA), May 25, 2007 - In response to information received today from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding eye infections from Acanthamoeba, a naturally occurring water-borne organism which can contribute to serious corneal infections, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) [NYSE: EYE] is immediately and voluntarily recalling its Complete® MoisturePlusTM contact lens solutions. CDC data was made available to AMO today showing that it had completed interviews with 46 patients who had developed Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) since January 2005. A total of 39 of these patients were soft contact lens wearers, 21 of whom reported using Complete® MoisturePlusTM products. The CDC estimates a risk of at least seven times greater for those who used Complete® MoisturePLUSTM solution versus those who did not.
While AMO continues to work with the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further assess the data, it is acting with an abundance of caution to voluntarily recall Complete® MoisturePlusTM from the market. There is no evidence to suggest that today's voluntary recall is related to a product contamination issue and this does not impact any of AMO's other contact lens care products, including our family of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solutions. As patient safety is paramount to AMO, the company is taking decisive action to stop shipments, recall product from the marketplace, and encourage consumers to discontinue the use of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ until further information is available. Given the potential seriousness of the reported Acanthamoeba infections, AMO is working in close partnership with the CDC, the FDA and others to make sure consumers are aware of the need for proper contact lens disinfection and proper lens handling.
Acanthamoeba is a microorganism commonly found in water, soil, sewage systems, cooling towers, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare, but serious, infection of the cornea. AK is usually found among individuals who improperly store/handle/disinfect their lenses (e.g., use tap water or homemade solutions for cleaning), swim/use hot tubs/shower while wearing lenses, come in contact with contaminated water, have minor damage to their corneas, or have previous corneal trauma. The incidence of AK in the United States has been estimated by CDC at approximately one to two cases per million contact lens users.
Contact lens wearers should consult with their eye doctor if they have any of the following symptoms: eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, sensation of something in the eye, and excessive tearing. The symptoms, which can last several weeks to months, are not the same for everybody. Early in the infection, the symptoms of AK can be very similar to the symptoms of other more common eye infections but AK may eventually cause severe pain and possible vision loss with some patients requiring a corneal transplant if untreated.
Consumers who believe they are in possession of the recalled product should discontinue use immediately and call 1-888-899-9183. The company is currently contacting retailers, customers and distributors regarding return and replacement instructions. Reply cards and mailing slips are being provided for return of product. Retailers may also call 1-888-899-9183 for more information.
Please report any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product and/or quality problems to AMO by calling 1-calling 1-800-347-5005 and to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about AMO, including those relating to the product, AMO's investigation, AMO's corrective actions, and other statements of AMO's current beliefs. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on estimates and assumptions and represent AMO's judgment only as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ from current expectations based on a number of factors including but not limited to AMO's ongoing investigation, interactions with global regulatory authorities, and unforeseen health and safety issues. Therefore, the reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. AMO disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Additional information concerning these and other risk factors may be found in previous financial press releases issued by AMO and AMO's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in AMO's 2006 Form 10-K filed in March 2007 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed in March 2007. Copies of press releases and additional information about AMO are available at www.amo-inc.com, or by contacting AMO's Investor Relations Department by calling 714-247-8290.
