CIBA VISION^® — Shared Passion for Healthy Vision and Better Life

AIR OPTIX^™ for ASTIGMATISM – complete parameter range now available with around the clock axes.

• Parameter range now includes +6.00D to -10.00D, 4 cylinders, around the clock axes in 10^° steps : 4,104 parameters to choose from
• Fitting AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM contact lenses has never been easier
• More choices for more astigmats^I

Southampton, 4 December 2010 — AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM contact lenses now offer eye care professionals the range they need to satisfy nearly all of their astigmatic patientsI. The new, wider range has around the clock axes in 10^° steps with 4,104 parameters to choose from, making AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM one of the widest in-stock silicone hydrogel toric lens parameter ranges available.

“Because of its exceptional comfort and performance, AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM has become the first choice lens for many UK and Irish practitioners,” said Mark Draper (Head of Professional Affairs, CIBA VISION^® ) “Now with around the clock axes, even more patients can benefit from this high-performing lens.”

AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM lenses combine the breakthrough Precision Balance 8|4^™ design with a highly breathable silicone hydrogel material, resulting in a healthier and even more comfortable contact lens option that provides consistent clear vision. AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM transmits up to 7 times more oxygen than leading low Dk/t hydrogel toric lenses to help protect contact lens wearers from the symptoms of corneal oxygen deficiency for whiter, healthy-looking eyes. They are approved for daily wear and recommended for monthly replacement.

Eye care professionals can be confident every time they fit their patients with AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM because the lens fitting characteristics and axis orientation are consistent from patient to patient. In a clinical study, 95 percent of contact lens wearers were successfully fit with the first lens ⁱⁱ, and the lenses usually stabilise on the eye in just 30 secondsⁱⁱⁱ.

In clinical studies, patients indicated a preference for AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM, compared to ACUVUE ADVANCE for ASTIGMATISM^iv , ACUVUE OASYS for Astigmatism^v , PureVision Toric^vi , SofLens 66 Toric and Biomedics Toric.

AIR OPTIX^® for ASTIGMATISM lenses are made of lotrafilcon B, and have a Dk/t of 108 @ -3.00D, -1.75D x 180. They are available from +6.00 to -6.00 in 0.25D steps and -6.50 to -10.00 in 0.50D steps; all in -0.75, -1.25, -1.75 and -2.25 cylinder power with axes around the clock in 10° steps. Single trial lens blisters are also available.

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About CIBA VISION^®

With a shared passion for healthy vision and better life, CIBA VISION^® is a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. CIBA VISION^® is dedicated to improving the quality of patients’ lives around the world through innovative vision care solutions and strong partnerships with eye care professionals. With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, CIBA VISION^® products are available in more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, visit the CIBA VISION^® web site at www.cibavision.com.

CIBA VISION^® and the CIBA VISION^® logo are trademarks of Novartis AG.
© 2010 CIBA VISION^® AG, a Novartis AG company.

Dk/t = 108 @ -3.00D, -1.25D x 180.
ⁱ CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2005. CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2005. Compared to PureVision Toric, and SofLens 66 Toric
ⁱⁱ CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2005.
ⁱⁱⁱ CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2006.
^iv Brobst A, Janakiraman DP, Wang C. Multi-Center, Masked Comparison of Two Silicone Hydrogel Toric Contact Lenses. Optom Vis Sci 2006; 83: E-abstract 065265. Based on patients with a preference.
^v CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2008
^vi CIBA VISION^® data on file, 2005.