Apr 2 2008
In just 100 minutes on Wednesday, April 9, the lives of 100 low-income people in cities and towns across the United States will be changed forever, as their failing eyesight goes from murky to new-found clarity at all distances with crystalens® cataract-lens implants, free of charge.
Not only can this unique program — Changing 100 Lives in 100 Minutes — dramatically improve patients’ eyesight, but many patients may never need eyeglasses again.
Bausch & Lomb, which manufactures the innovative crystalens intraocular lens (IOL) for cataracts, will donate 100 pairs of these lenses not generally covered by private insurance or Medicare. From coast to coast, 100 participating ophthalmologists will perform crystalens IOL implantation surgeries simultaneously over the course of an hour and 40 minutes at no additional charge.
This national effort will begin promptly next Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) with the implantation of the 100,000th crystalens IOL. The crystalens IOL is the only intraocular lens that uses eye muscles to focus in much the same way as the eye’s natural lens, and is designed to provide clear vision at all distances — near, intermediate and far.
The 100,000th crystalens IOL surgery will be performed by Dr. James P. Gills, founder of St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
The crystalens IOL design is based on the human eye and uses the eye muscle to focus on objects at all distances. It is the only lens to use the eye’s natural focusing ability and is the first and only such lens to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Few crystalens IOL patients have experienced problems with night vision, halos or glare.
“We couldn't think of a better way to show our appreciation for the success of the cyrstalens IOL than to share the gift of sight with people who struggle with cataracts,” said Andy Corley, president, U.S. Surgical, Bausch & Lomb. “We hope that our contribution, and the contributions of dedicated surgeons across the country, makes a difference in the lives of people in need.”
For more details about the crystalens IOL Changing 100 Lives in 100 Minutes program, visit www.crystalens.com.