News and Technology

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR INTACS?

Ideal candidates are patients with mild to moderated Keratoconus seeking improved uncorrected and best corrected vision, or who are contact lens intolerant or wish to wear toric soft contact lenses instead of gas permeable contact lenses. We have had many grateful patients who have been able to become independent from contact lens wear by having Intacs followed by PK.

To find out more, we invite you to schedule a free consultation. During your consultation you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive additional information about laser vision correction. You can contact us toll free at 1.877.tlc.2020.

Conductive Keratoplasty^SM (CK) uses the controlled release of radiofrequency (RF) energy, instead of a laser, to reshape the cornea.

CK is performed using a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair, that releases radiofrequency (RF) energy.

The probe is applied in a circular pattern on the outer cornea to shrink small areas of corneal tissue. This circular shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (like the tightening of a belt), increasing the overall curvature of the cornea.

The procedure, which takes less than three minutes, is done in-office with only topical anesthesia (eye drops). CK is the first alternative to laser for hyperopia.

The overwhelming need for assistance by the victims of Hurricane

KFI-AM recently held an on-air auction with proceeds going to the hurricane victims. DR. THOMAS S. TOOMA, Medical Director for TLC Southern California and a regular KFI advertiser, felt the need to contribute. Dr. Tooma donated a LASIK procedure to the on-air auction. ??So many have lost everything in the hurricane and I feel blessed to be able to contribute,? said Dr. Tooma.

The on-air auction was an overwhelming success. The winning bid for the LASIK procedure was $4,200! The auction raised almost $1 million dollars for the Red Cross. The winning bidder will receive the VIP treatment that all our TLC patients appreciate as well as a personal call from DR. KIMBERLY ACKLEY, O.D. at the Newport Beach center and Dr. Tooma.

The official vote is in, Orange County! In the 8th annual reader's poll of the Orange County Register, TLC Laser Eye Center was voted "Best Lasik Center" in Orange County!

"The company has a network of experienced, highly trained doctors and more than 58 centers across the United States and Canada. In fact, TLC's doctors are so highly regarded that many of them are called upon to correct complications that occur in laser vision correction procedures performed by other surgeons".

There are 60 million Americans with farsightedness. Farsightedness is most predominant among Baby Boomers, many of whom view reading glasses as a sign of aging. Symptoms of farsightedness include:

• the early need for reading glasses after age 40 and current bifocal use
• difficulty reading menus, computer screens, the alarm clock, or driving at night
• eye fatigue when reading in poor lighting or at the end of the day
• trouble changing focus from distance to near
• constantly repositioning reading material in an attempt to find the right focus

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) is the first non-laser procedure for farsightedness. CK uses the controlled release of radiofrequency (RF) energy, instead of a laser or scalpel to reshape the cornea.

Because CK is performed without the cutting or removal of tissue, it meets the needs of the risk-adverse patient who's been waiting for an alternative to Lasik for farsightedness.

For years, the farsighted patient has been left behind as vision correction procedures progressed: RK, PRK, and even LASIK initially were all treatments solely for the nearsighted. CK is one of the first procedures designed specifically for farsightedness.

Call to schedule your complimentary consultation to see if CK is right for you.

WHAT IS CUSTOM CORNEA?

Custom Cornea is a major breakthrough in laser vision correction. Just like your fingerprint and DNA are unique to you and only you, so is the map of the optical imperfections in your vision. A fingerprint of your vision if you will. Based on this information, the Custom Cornea software allows us to design a treatment that is unique to you and only you.

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Newport Beach, CA, February 24, 2004 --Newport Beach -based ophthalmologist Dr. Thomas S. Tooma is announcing that his eye clinic now offers the next generation in laser vision correction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix Personalized Laser Vision Correction System for the treatment of near-sightedness and astigmatism.

"Approximately 90 percent of individuals who need vision correction have myopia (near-sightedness) or astigmatism," said Dr. Tooma. "We're delighted to offer our local patients this safe and effective alternative to glasses for refractive error using the proven vision correction technology of the Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix system. I believe this is the best laser vision treatment technology available, and patients can be confident in the procedure."

Results from a multicenter clinical trial1 within the United States for the Zyoptix system were submitted to the FDA and showed impressive patient outcomes, which include:

• 99.7% of patients said their quality of vision was improved;
• 84.7% of patients expressed extreme improvement;
• 91.5% of patients had 20/20 or better visual acuity without glasses after the Zyoptix system treatment;
• 98.8% of patients were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their results;
• 0% of patients were dissatisfied with their results;
• 98.2% of patients said they would have the procedure again.

"Data from the U.S. clinical study clearly shows that the Zyoptix technology produces excellent visual outcomes as determined by customer satisfaction," said Tooma. "Not only were more than 98 percent of the patients satisfied or extremely satisfied six months after the procedure, none of the patients were dissatisfied and there were no re-treatments during the study period. Traditional LASIK surgery can't say that."

The Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix system is unique for a variety of reasons, which include the ability to change the diameter of the laser treatment area coupled with its advanced diagnostic system, which analyzes thousands of data points across the entire eye - to produce a personalized vision treatment plan. Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix system success has been proven outside the United States for over two years - with more than 100,000 procedures in Europe and other parts of the world. The FDA approval has now made it available here in the United States. For more information about this revolutionary procedure, contact TLC Laser Eye Centers at 949 854-7400.

About Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company, dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2003, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2002 revenues were $1.8 billion; it employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the Company can be found on the Bausch & Lomb Web site at www.bausch.com.

¹Bausch & Lomb TECHNOLAS® 217z Zyoptix System for Personalized Vision Correction - Professional Use Information (Physician Labeling).
© 2003 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
®/™ denote trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

WHAT IS REFRACTIVE LENSECTOMY?

Refractive lensectomy or refractive lens exchange, is much like cataract surgery. (More than 2.7 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the U.S.) Refractive lensectomy is a procedure that exchanges the natural lens in your eye with an intraocular lens implant, a lens typically made of a soft material such as a silicone, acrylic or soft contact lens material. It is used to reduce or completely eliminate the dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

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IntraLase may help minimize risks and optimize results for LASIK patients

TLC Laser Eye Centers announces that IntraLase, a laser technology that enhances LASIK, is now available at TLC Newport Beach. With this technology, TLC Newport Beach is able to provide a completely customized laser vision procedure, which may help minimize risks and optimize results for patients having LASIK vision correction.

With the IntraLase laser, the surgeon uses the precision of a laser to create the corneal flap. This technology allows the surgeon control during the procedure and allows customization of the corneal flap for every individual patient. Because of its consistent accuracy as demonstrated in studies, IntraLase may now make it possible to treat many patients who were previously dismissed as candidates for laser vision correction due to thin corneas.

IntraLase Corporation President/CEO Robert J. Palmisano said, "The IntraLase procedure-enhancing laser is revolutionizing the standard of care for patients who seek vision-correction surgery. In addition, the IntraLase laser makes it possible to treat many patients who were dismissed as candidates for laser correction due to thin corneas."

TLC Newport Beach Medical Director, Dr. Thomas S. Tooma, is excited about being able to offer the IntraLase technology to the Orange County area. "Much of our success is due to the skill of our LASIK team and the continual investment in advanced technology. That is why IntraLase is a technology that was chosen for our center. We want to continually provide the highest level of patient care and technology, and CustomLASIK combined with IntraLase is the state-of-the-art." According to INTRALASE®, the IntraLase laser enables surgeons to provide remarkable predictability and precision and has given many patients more confidence when considering laser vision correction.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about how IntraLase and CustomLASIK can combine to provide a truly customized procedure, call TLC Newport Beach at 949 854 7400 or 1-877.TLC.2020.

ACCOMMODATIVE INTRAOCULAR LENSES

Crystalens is the first intraocular lens that provides accommodation, that is the ability to continuously adjust to focus on things within the patients near, intermediate and distant fields of vision. This enables the patient to see well at distance, at near and all distances in between. Almost like getting your 20 year old eyes again. Accommodative Intraocular Lenses connect the patient continuously and effortlessly to everything in their day-no matter what the distance is-it gives them a 20/life.

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WHAT IS AN ICL?

An ICL is a soft, very thin intraocular lens that is inserted between the Iris and the patient's own lens. Unlike a refractive lensectomy or a refractive lens exchange where the natural lens is replaced, this adds a lens without removal of the natural lens.

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WHAT ARE PHAKIC INTRAOLCULAR LENSES?

Phakic Intraocular lenses are used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). The patients natural lenses remain in place while the Phakic Intraocular lens are placed inside the eye between the cornea and the iris.

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Verisyse™ is proven to correct moderate to severe nearsightedness. The procedure involves placing the Verisyse™ IOL inside your eye to provide high-quality, high-definition vision without the need for glasses or contacts in most situations. Although Verisyse™ is intended to be permanent, the micro lens can be removed if desired.

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The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has announced the approval of Bladeless Custom LASIK vision correction for their astronauts - the same bladeless custom technology that is also available nationwide at TLC Laser Eye Centers.

NASA's approval came following a review of extensive military clinical data using the same two lasers employed in our Bladeless Custom LASIK. The research showed that the use of the combination of technologies provided superior safety and vision - results TLC Centers agree are unparalleled.

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