Portfolio Press Release
Ophthonix Receives 14th Patent
Patent covers proprietary technology to profile a patient's optical fingerprint for the production of iZon™ High Resolution Eyeglasses
San Diego, CA - January 9, 2007 — Ophthonix, Inc., an ophthalmic company marketing technology that enables patients to see with fully optimized vision, has received its 14th patent.This patent includes the diagnostic capabilities of the Z-View™ Aberrometer to profile the high order aberrations of a patient's eye with a proprietary algorithm.The high order profile is used to manufacture the iZon™ High Resolution Lens, giving the patient high definition vision.The patent also covers the use of the high order profile to generate a simulation of the high definition vision quality provided by the iZon Lens, for use by the practitioner in explaining the iZon Lens benefits to the patient.
The company's Z-View Wavefront Aberrometer, which is designed specifically for the dispensing eye care practitioner, enables a completely objective and precise refraction, and measures over 11,000 points across the pupil of the eye.These measurement points represent the optical fingerprint, or iPrint™, composed of 2nd to 6th higher order aberrations.Twenty percent of refractive error is contained in the iPrint and, when left uncorrected, results in sub-optimized vision especially in low contrast situations.With the iPrint measurements from the Z-View, Ophthonix is able to produce the iZon High Resolution Lenses.The first step in this process is the determination of patients who would most benefit from the iZon Lenses – about 65% of the population qualify.This is accomplished by a proprietary algorithm in the Z-View, known as Algizon™, which automatically analyzes the iPrint of each eye and identifies patients who are good iZon Lens candidates.Additionally, the Z-View utilizes the same iPrint information to simulate for the patient what their vision is like with the iZon Lenses in comparison to lenses that do not address high order aberrations.
"Measuring the iPrint of the eye and then using that information to drive the iZon Lens production is what sets us apart from all other eyeglasses; no other company does it," noted Andreas Dreher, Ph.D., president and CEO of Ophthonix."The iPrint is powerful, as it allows us to give patients the benefit of high definition vision, with the iZon Lenses," Dreher continued.The ability to simulate for patient the impact of the iZon Lens on their vision from the iPrint before the prescription is written is also an attractive feature for practitioners to use in explaining the benefits of the iZon Lens to patients.Steve Klein, optometrist at Tierrasanta Vision in San Diego, a user of the Z-View, underscored the usefulness of the simulation feature, "We use the simulation provided by the Z-View with every patient and it's a great way to show them the benefits of the iZon High Resolution Lens."
The Z-View Aberrometer was introduced to the industry in 2003 and the company began shipping it in 2004.In 2005, Ophthonix introduced the customized single vision iZon Lens and, in March 2006, the iZon Progressive Lenses.The latter competes in the large and growing PAL segment targeted to the Baby Boomer population who experience presbyopia, a condition which affects near or reading vision.To date, Ophthonix already has a sizeable share of PAL lens prescriptions and better than eight of ten patients prefer the iZon Progressive over competing products.Additionally, the iZon Lens technology has been clinically evaluated in an FDA validated night driving simulator, in which it produced a significantly improved reaction time over conventional lenses in both glare and non-glare night driving conditions.Night driving discomfort is reported by about 40% of current wearers of competitive PAL brands.
About Ophthonix
Ophthonix, Inc., a San Diego based, venture-funded ophthalmic company, is manufacturing and marketing exceptional vision assessment and correction technologies to greatly enhance vision quality. Ophthonix is currently advancing a system that will improve the ability of eye care practitioners to care for their patients and benefit the millions around the world requiring vision correction. Ophthonix is located at 10455 Pacific Center Court, San Diego, CA 92121, www.izonlens.com.