IRIDEX Announces Proprietary MicroPulse™ Technology For Treatment Of Eye Diseases Caused By Diabetes And Age-Related Macular Degeneration Featured On 'American Health Front' Program

Innovative, Tissue-Sparing, Cost-Effective Therapy

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Apr 22, 2014, 06:30 ET

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced that an educational story based on its innovative MicroPulse™ technology for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), was recently featured on the Washington, D.C. edition of "American Health Front," a health news program focused on advances in medical techniques and technologies. Neal Adams, M.D., a board-certified ophthalmologist and principal at DC Retina in Silver Spring, MD, presented an overview of the MicroPulse technology, a promising, tissue-sparing laser therapy that allows the tissue to cool between laser pulses, minimizing or preventing tissue damage.

Dr. Adams noted that certain key treatment risks are reduced or eliminated with the use of MicroPulse, and patient comfort is increased compared to conventional, continuous-wave laser treatment.

"Patient care is about caring for the patient and individualizing treatment, which is why I offer MicroPulse for my AMD and diabetic patients," Dr. Adams said. "It doesn't burn or damage the retina and the results are often excellent…It's really impressive technology."

"Numerous recent studies have shown the effectiveness and durability of the MicroPulse technology in treating DME, meaning it should be considered a cost-effective alternative to the regimen of drug treatments via eye injections currently in use," noted William M. Moore, CEO of IRIDEX.

"Drugs injected directly into the eye have a role in treating retinal diseases, but there are serious issues in terms of costs and logistics due to the need for continuous injections for the rest of one's life. This is just not a sustainable model in today's value-based medicine world," Moore said. "MicroPulse offers powerful advantages, in terms of durability, economics and logistics for payors and patients."

To see the entire program, click on the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tnbasgtsdvhpxgs/Dr%20Adams%2C%20American%20Health%20Front%202014.mp4

The program can also be seen on YouTube at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B59WmxzvXY

About MicroPulse Technology

MicroPulse is a tissue-sparing laser therapy that works by electronically "chopping" the laser emission into trains of microsecond pulses. This enhances the physician's ability to more precisely control the laser effects on target tissues, offering the potential for ocular treatment with less collateral effects than conventional laser treatments.

About IRIDEX

IRIDEX Corporation was founded in 1989 and is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation for the ophthalmology market. We maintain a deep commitment to the success of our customers, with comprehensive technical, clinical, and service support programs. IRIDEX is dedicated to a standard of excellence, offering superior technology for superior results. IRIDEX products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally through a combination of a direct sales force and a network of approximately 70 independent distributors into over 100 countries. For further information, visit the IRIDEX website at http://www.iridex.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, relating to the Company's products and the markets for the Company's products. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Please see a detailed description of these and other risks contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 30, 2013, June 29, 2013, and September 28, 2013, each of which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and will not be updated.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B59WmxzvXY

SOURCE IRIDEX Corporation