IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IntraLase Corp. (Nasdaq: ILSE) announced today that more than one million LASIK procedures using the IntraLase Method(TM) have been sold worldwide to date, confirming the demand for IntraLase(R) FS Laser technology as blade-free LASIK grows among surgeons and patients.

The IntraLase FS laser is the first technology for a truly all-laser, blade-free LASIK procedure, replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade historically used in creating LASIK corneal flaps -- the first step of the procedure -- with a computer-guided, ultra-fast femtosecond (fem-to-second) laser. The IntraLase laser virtually eliminates the majority of the most severe sight-threatening LASIK complications related to use of the microkeratome and, by creating an optimal corneal surface below the flap, provides for better visual outcomes -- taking many patients to 20/20 vision and beyond.

"Accomplishing one million advanced IntraLase Method procedures sold speaks to the rapid adoption of our technology world-wide among the top LASIK surgeons in the field -- a fact we are very proud of," said Robert J. Palmisano, president and chief executive officer of IntraLase Corp. "We are building upon the success of our LASIK platform to create a versatile refractive and therapeutic instrument for ophthalmic surgeons."

IntraLase continues to make impressive worldwide gains in both sales and procedure volume as surgeons convert to the all-laser LASIK platform as a means of invigorating their practice. With 518 lasers installed worldwide as of September 30, 2006, the company reported approximately 363,000 procedures sold in the first nine months of 2006, representing a near 50 percent increase in volume over the same period in 2005.

"We have seen a significant improvement in our visual acuity outcomes and a meaningful reduction in our LASIK complication rate using the IntraLase Method. The blade-free approach is a very comforting message to patients, since it addresses one of their primary obstacles -- fear of the surgery," said Richard L. Lindstrom, M.D., founder and attending surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants, national medical director of TLCVision and past president of the International Society of Refractive Surgery. "Adding the IntraLase all- laser LASIK platform to our patient offering has been a very positive experience for our patients, referring doctors and surgeons."

More than 1,200 surgeons worldwide have incorporated the blade-free IntraLase Method into their LASIK practices. In fact, the majority of the top ophthalmic teaching institutes including Duke University Medical School, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami, and Stanford University use the IntraLase FS laser technology to train future generations of LASIK surgeons. These early adopters are well positioned for success as the blade-free approach continues to gain the attention and favor of LASIK candidates.

LASIK with the Advanced IntraLase Method in Action

    * Using an "inside-out" process, the laser beam is precisely focused to a

      point within the cornea.

    * The laser pulses then create thousands of microscopic bubbles which

      define the incision within the intracorneal surface.

    * Along the edge bubbles are then stacked up at a beveled angle - a

      feature unique to the IntraLase Method - to the corneal surface to

      complete the flap.

    * From start to finish, the IntraLase Method typically takes 15 - 30

      seconds.

    * The physician then exposes the prepared corneal bed for excimer laser

      treatment (the second step of LASIK) by lifting the flap.

    * The LASIK procedure is complete when the flap is securely repositioned

      on its beveled edge.

With the IntraLase laser, the surgeon can precisely control the critical first step of LASIK. Physician-programmed laser specifications include flap diameter, depth, hinge location and width, and side-cut architecture -- factors which can be varied to meet patients' needs. The IntraLase laser creates a distinctive beveled-edge flap, which allows for precise repositioning, alignment and seating after LASIK is completed. This feature reduces the risk of flap displacement, a complication seen with microkeratome flaps.

Blade-Free Safety and Better Vision with All-Laser LASIK

The IntraLase laser makes LASIK safer by replacing the hand-held microkeratome blade with the computer-guided precision of a laser, virtually eliminating almost all the most severe, sight-threatening blade-related LASIK complications as a result. Leading LASIK surgeons report on data of the more than one million IntraLase Method procedures, which demonstrate an impressive safety profile

Beyond improving the safety of the procedure, LASIK with the advanced IntraLase Method is clinically proven to deliver better visual outcomes in both standard and Custom LASIK procedures with more patients achieving visual acuity of 20/20, 20/15 and even 20/12.5. These remarkable results are the product of the optimized corneal surface prepared by the IntraLase FS laser in creating the corneal flap. The precision of the laser reduces the microscopic inconsistencies on the corneal bed, providing an optimal surface for the vision correction performed by the excimer laser in step two of the LASIK procedure.