IRIDEX Gains Patent Approvals Covering TxCell™-Guided MicroPulse® Laser Therapy; Predictably Enables Faster, Durable Treatments for Glaucoma and Retinal Diseases

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX), a leading global provider of innovative laser systems, delivery devices and consumables in ophthalmology, announced today that the United States Patent Office issued the Company two new patent approvals for its recent submissions, covering key elements of its MicroPulse technology and improving the delivery of its sub-threshold treatment for patients with glaucoma and retinal diseases.  The patents are relevant to the Company's TxCell Scanning Laser Delivery System, which is a platform that allows MicroPulse laser therapy to be planned and delivered in a grid pattern, allowing the procedure to be completed with greater efficiency and confidence than older "single-spot" delivery strategies.

Specifically, the Company received U.S. Patent No. 9,265,656 entitled "Grid Pattern Laser Treatment and Methods for Treating an Eye" and U.S. Patent No. 9,278,029 entitled "Short Duration Pulse Grid Pattern Laser Treatment and Methods."  Expanding on the core MicroPulse technology, these new patents cover automatic laser delivery with multi-spot pattern scanning for efficient retinal photocoagulation that is tissue sparing and enables faster treatment procedures. 

"Physicians continue to report high satisfaction with the TxCell Scanning Laser Delivery Systems, noting that they are able to safely and effectively treat their patients without the risks and complexities of conventional products or invasive implant technologies," said President and CEO Will Moore.  "With TxCell-assisted scanning and delivery technologies, physicians using MicroPulse can more accurately visualize a treatment area and predictably and efficiently deliver the therapy.  The issuance of these patents adds to IRIDEX's extensive intellectual property portfolio and confirms IRIDEX's leadership in the ophthalmology market with our TxCell and Cyclo G6™ Laser Delivery Systems.

"The successful adoption rate and rapid growth of MicroPulse, for use in both retinal and more recently glaucoma procedures, has brought new attention to the Company and our market.  In response, we have a series of additional patent applications pending in the U.S. and Europe for the advancement of MicroPulse in treating glaucoma and retinal disease," Moore continued.  "Leveraging our innovations will help ensure our success moving forward."

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, including those statements concerning the Company's patents and other intellectual property rights, the Company's patent applications and the issuance of any patents to the Company based upon such applications, the relevance of the Company's patents and other intellectual property rights to the Company's current and future product portfolio, the protectability of, and results of any future challenges to, the Company's intellectual property rights, the Company's products, including the TxCell™ Scanning Laser Delivery System and MicroPulse® technology, future demand and order levels for the Company's products, the adoption and effect of Company products on its results, the markets in which the Company operates, usage and efficacy of the Company's products, future financial results, and the Company's strategic plans and objectives. 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 January 3, 2015, 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.

SOURCE IRIDEX Corporation

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