'Bladeless' LASIK Procedure Sets New Industry Standard for Safety &
Outcomes

TORONTO, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - Few technologies, in the history of Canadian refractive surgery, have experienced as rapid an adoption as the 'bladeless' IntraLase(R) procedure. In the span of three years, 30 out of an estimated 75 laser vision correction centres (or 40%) have switched to the IntraLase
Method(TM). This trend has shown no signs of slowing down, with a record-breaking thirteen centres converting to IntraLase in 2007 alone. By 2008, it is estimated that 1 in every 3 LASIK procedures in Canada will be performed with IntraLase.

IntraLase centres are reporting significant growth. With the improved safety & outcomes of the femtosecond laser, patients are more comfortable and confident with their choice to have LASIK. An increase in consumer confidence, in turn, has helped to restore positive growth rates. A recent survey revealed IntraLase centres, on average, have increased their LASIK procedure volumes by
10%.

"IntraLase provides a level of safety, precision and flexibility never-before-available to the LASIK surgeon," says Jay Herman, President of Sigmacon Medical Products. "With micron-level accuracy," he explains, "the surgeon is now able to consistently reproduce a smoother, more uniform flap. This not only avoids complications typically associated with the hand-held blade (or mechanical microkeratome), but also helps to improve visual outcomes by reducing the number of aberrations, or small imperfections on the eyes surface."

"I often draw the analogy of the IntraLase procedure to that of the airbag", Mr. Herman adds. "Modern day consumers, although they may never have a car accident, are risk averse and demand the additional safety airbags provide. Similarly, IntraLase meets the demand for increased safety during the LASIK procedure. And why not, your vision is worth protecting."

About The IntraLase Procedure

The LASIK procedure is a highly evolved, safe procedure. However, until the introduction of IntraLase, LASIK was not an all-laser procedure, and the risks associated with the use of a hand-held blade (or mechanical microkeratome) have kept many patients from considering LASIK. With the improved safety and outcomes of the IntraLase laser, numerous patients previously fearful of laser vision correction are now choosing to have 'blade-free' LASIK.

Tiny pulses of laser light pass harmlessly through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye. Just prior to LASIK surgery, the doctor can lift the corneal flap by gently and easily separating the tissue where these bubbles
have formed. The process from start to finish takes approximately 15-25 seconds.

For further information: Terry O'Reilly, Sigmacon Medical Products
Corp., Toll-free: 1-800-898-7455, www.intralasik.ca, www.lasikflapfacts.com