Samsara Vision Implantable Telescope Technology Featured at 2013 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting in San Francisco

Telescope Prosthesis for End-Stage Macular Degeneration Highlighted

Saratoga, CA – April 16, 2013

Samsara Vision Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., developer of the first FDA-approved ophthalmic telescope implant indicated to improve vision in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), announces scheduled scientific presentations on its implantable telescope technology at the upcoming American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2013 Annual Meeting.

The telescope implant is an integral component of a new patient care program called CentraSight®, which has been developed to improve vision and quality of life in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD. Eligible patients must have associated central vision blindness and must have either stopped responding to AMD medications, or have a form of the disease for which no treatment is available.

Two presentations are scheduled:

2013 ASCRS Annual Meeting
April 19 – 23, 2013 – Moscone Center, San Francisco

Saturday, April 20
Session: 1-L: RETINA
Title: Short-Term Outcomes of Implantable Miniature Telescope for Treatment of Central Vision Loss in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Time: 3:02 – 3:07 PM
Presenters: David M. Tremblay, MD, Charlene M. Grice, MD, Luis E. Fernandez de Castro, MD
Location: Moscone Center, Room 125

Monday, April 22
Course 22-209: Intraocular Telescope for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Title: Intraocular Telescope for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Presenters: Kristin Carter, MD, Henry L. Hudson, MD
Location: Moscone Center, Room 309

At the ASCRS annual meeting, Samsara Vision is in Booth #240 in Moscone’s South Halls A, B, C.

About the CentraSight Treatment Program
The first-of-kind telescope implant is integral to a new patient care program, CentraSight, for patients with end-stage macular degeneration. The CentraSight treatment program involves a patient management process and access to reimbursement information for patients and physicians. The telescope implantation is performed by a specially trained ophthalmic surgeon as an outpatient procedure.

Patients and physicians can find more information about the telescope implant and related treatment program at www.CentraSight.com or 1-877-99-SIGHT.

About the Telescope Implant
The Implantable Miniature Telescope (by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz) is indicated for monocular implantation to improve vision in patients greater than or equal to 75 years of age with stable severe to profound vision impairment (best-corrected distance visual acuity 20/160 to 20/800) caused by bilateral central scotomas (blind areas) associated with end-stage AMD. This level of visual impairment constitutes statutory (legal) blindness. Smaller than a pea, the telescope is implanted in one eye in an outpatient surgical procedure. In the implanted eye, the device renders enlarged central vision images over a wide area of the retina to improve central vision, while the non-operated eye provides peripheral vision for mobility and orientation.

The risks and benefits associated with the telescope implant are discussed in the Patient Information Booklet available at www.CentraSight.com.

About Samsara Vision
Samsara Vision Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Saratoga, CA, is a privately-held company focused on development, manufacturing, and marketing of implantable ophthalmic devices and technologies that are intended to significantly improve vision and quality of life for individuals with untreatable retinal disorders. Samsara Vision’s Implantable Miniature Telescope was invented by company founders Yossi Gross and Isaac Lipshitz.

Media Contact:
Jon Pushkin
303-733-3441
jon@pushkinpr.com