VARILUX PHYSIO SUBJECT OF E-POSTER AT SECO MEETING
Wearer Studies Find Wavefront-Optimized Lens Provides Better Vision

DALLAS – (February 28, 2007) – Eye care professionals (ECPs) attending the 2007 SECO in Atlanta, Georgia, had access to a multicenter wearer study that shows wavefront-optimized lenses provide better vision than conventional progressive designs. Essilor of America (EOA) announced that its Varilux Physio® progressive lens was the subject of an e-poster presentation at the SECO conference in Atlanta last week. The study, which captured data from 609 patients, shows that 72 percent of the participants rated overall quality of vision as “clearly better/better” with Varilux Physio lenses compared to their prior lenses.

The e-poster, “Wavefront-Optimized Progressive Lens Enhances Wearer Vision and Satisfaction: Results of a Multicenter Study,” authored by James D. Colgain, OD, a leading lecturer on wavefront technology, concluded that wavefront-optimized progressive lenses provide presbyopes with noticeably better vision and higher satisfaction than standard progressives. The abstract was one of 50 selected by SECO. The study, which followed rigorous protocols, was conducted across multiple sites with 609 presbyopes.

“We are very excited by the results of the study reported by Dr. Colgain,” said Dr. Rodney Tahran, vice president of professional relations and clinical affairs for Essilor. “The data demonstrates that Varilux Physio provides a high degree of wearer satisfaction and is based on feedback from a large number of presbyopes who found the wavefront-optimized progressive lens, Varilux Physio, results in better vision and strong wearer satisfaction. The study results will help eye care practitioners make spectacle lens dispensing decisions for presbyopes based on carefully reviewed scientific and clinical evidence.”

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a wavefront-optimized lens provides better vision than conventional progressive designs. For near, intermediate and distance, subjects reported “clearly wider/wider” fields and “clearly better/better” vision with Varilux Physio progressives. Additionally, 72 percent of the subjects rated overall quality of vision as “clearly better/better” with Varilux Physio lenses compared to their prior lenses.

In January of 2006, Essilor launched Varilux Physio 360°™ and Varilux Physio as the first lenses to deliver the corrective power of W.A.V.E. Technology: Wavefront Advanced Vision Enhancement™ to presbyopes seeking the sharpest, most natural vision. Worldwide studies with more than 2,000 presbyopes conducted by Essilor showed wearers preferred Varilux Physio lenses no matter their ametropia, age, or previous type of lens.

James D. Colgain, O.D. is Clinical Director of the Whitten-Perraut Laser Eye Washington, D.C., and Lieutenant Colonel in the District of Columbia Air National Guard. He is an adjunct faculty member at the New England College of Optometry, State University of New York, and University of Waterloo. Dr. Colgain was selected by his colleagues as the 2006 Optometrist of the Year in the state of Maryland. Since the advent of wavefront technology in the U.S., Dr. Colgain has been an optometric leader in this technology, particularly in regard to its application in laser vision correction and ophthalmic lenses. Dr. Colgain was elected president of the Air National Guard Optometric Association for 2006 -2007.

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Varilux, Crizal, Physio and Varilux Physio are registered trademarks and DEFINITY is a trademark of Essilor International, S.A. Thin&Lite is a registered trademark and Varilux Physio 360°, W.A.V.E. Technology: Wavefront Advanced Vision Enhancement and design are trademarks of Essilor of America, Inc.