Durrie Vision Selected as First Practice in Kansas City to Offer Alcon’s Vivity Intraocular Lens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- OVERLAND PARK, KS  DURRIE VISION SELECTED AS FIRST PRACTICE IN KANSAS CITY REGION TO OFFER ALCON’S NEWLY RELEASED, FDA-APPROVED INTRAOCULAR LENS

Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, recently announced its initial commercial launch of AcrySof^® IQ Vivity^®, a first-of-its-kind intraocular lens (IOL), available to U.S. patients undergoing refractive lens exchange or cataract surgery. Durrie Vision, a Kansas City leader in refractive vision correction, was selected to be the first practice in the region to offer this innovative new lens designed to treat age-related conditions such as presbyopia (loss of reading vision) and cataracts, while also reducing or eliminating a patient’s dependency on glasses, bifocals, and readers.

Today, Durrie Vision’s Dr. Timothy Lindquist was the first surgeon in Kansas City to perform the refractive lens exchange procedure utilizing the Vivity IOL. “This is an exciting time to be a refractive surgeon, particularly as we address the evolving needs of patients experiencing a decrease in their quality of vision from presbyopia or cataracts,” said Dr. Lindquist. “These patients are used to leading active lives and are looking for a solution that meets both their visual and lifestyle demands. Technologies like the Vivity lens help our patients regain the ability to see crisp, clear vision and get them back to doing the things they care most about.”

The Vivity lens uses X-Wave™, Alcon’s proprietary, non-diffractive technology utilizing all available light to provide an extended range of vision. Vivity enables high-quality vision at far and intermediate ranges as well as functional up-close vision, with low incidence of visual disturbances (i.e. halo, glare, starbursts), comparable to a monofocal lens.  Available in spherical and toric designs, Vivity is built on Alcon’s proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally.

With its recent FDA approval, the Vivity IOL is the latest advancement to join Durrie Vision’s lineup of premium lenses. “Every patient is unique. They come to us with their own personal stories and varying visual demands,” said Dr. Jason Stahl, Durrie Vision CEO and refractive surgeon. “The Vivity lens increases our ability to further customize a procedure with incredible precision. This level of personalization results in excellent visual outcomes for our patients.”

About Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens gradually becomes hard and cloudy allowing less light to pass through, which makes it more difficult to see. The vast majority of cataracts result from normal aging, but radiation exposure, taking steroids, diabetes and eye trauma can accelerate their development. Cataracts are the most common age-related eye condition and the leading cause of preventable blindness. Twenty million people in the U.S. age 40 and older have cataracts. Cataracts are treated by removing the eye’s cloudy natural lens and surgically replacing it with an intraocular lens or IOL. More than 98 percent of cataract surgeries are considered successful, and patients typically can return to their normal routines within 24 hours.

About Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common, age-related vision condition in which people have difficulty focusing on things up close. It involves the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on close objects, such as smart phones, computers, books and menus. Almost everyone will experience presbyopia to some degree as they age, with symptoms often first appearing as an individual enters their 40s and continues to worsen into their 60s. In the U.S., an estimated 112 million people experience vision issues due to presbyopia – a number that’s expected to continue increasing. The condition is not a disease, so it cannot be cured; however, there are safe and effective ways to correct presbyopia, including eye glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

About Vivity

The non-diffractive AcrySof™ IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Model DFT015 (referred to as AcrySof™ IQ Vivity™ IOL) is an UV-absorbing and blue light filtering foldable intraocular lens (IOL). This IOL, compared to a monofocal IOL, provides an extended range of vision from distance to near without increasing the incidence of visual disturbances.

Potential side effects: As with any surgery, there is an implicit risk, whether or not the IOL is implanted. The complications of the IOL implantation surgery ranges from minor side effects (usually temporary) to serious complications. Patients with previous illnesses or disorders (such as chronic infections of the eye or eyelids, or diabetes) may present a higher risk of complications. Temporary surgical complications include, but are not limited to, reactions to medications such as irritation or mild allergic response, bleeding, redness, itching of the eye, sensitivity to light, swelling, Corneal edema (swelling of the cornea), problems with the iris, cell growth in the IOL, and an increase temporary eye pressure. There is a small risk of needing further surgical treatment (such as IOL replacement implanted by a different one or surgery to improve vision) after the implantation of the initial IOL.

A toric IOL corrects astigmatism when it is placed in the correct position within the eye and remains in the intended position. If the IOL is not correctly positioned and does not remain in its intended position to correct astigmatism, you may experience visual distortions, where curved lines appear inclined or flat surfaces will appear curved. These visual distortions can make you dizzy.

About Durrie Vision

Durrie Vision, located in Overland Park, KS, is a world-class refractive surgery center specializing in laser vision correction procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and cataracts. Offering the most advanced combination of diagnostic and treatment technology available, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional results through customized vision correction procedures including SBK advanced LASIK, phakic IOL, refractive lens exchange and refractive cataract surgery. Our surgeons – Dr. Jason E. Stahl and Dr. Timothy P. Lindquist – are among the most experienced refractive surgeons in the country with international reputations as innovators and leaders in the field.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 20,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Courtney Moilanen 
Director of Marketing
Durrie Vision
8300 College Blvd., Suite 201
Overland Park, KS 66210
Phone 913-234-6301

cmoilanen@durrievision.com

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