ADVANCED VISION RESEARCH INTRODUCES STERILID EYELID CLEANSER

WOBURN, MA, April 5, 2006--Advanced Vision Research, Inc. (AVR), makers of TheraTears� Brand Lubricant Eye Drops, is announcing that its newest product, SteriLid� Eyelid Cleanser, will be available this summer. SteriLid is the first antibacterial lid foam designed for lid hygiene, and will be a critical advance in treating blepharitis and dry eye, keeping bacteria counts low on punctal plugs, and, when used by patients in the days leading up to eye surgery, reducing the risk of endophthalmitis. Research shows that patients struggle with homemade mixtures and dilutions, and cotton swabs and pads, leading to poor compliance. Furthermore, existing eyelid soaps, pads and scrubs are not antibacterial. The company developed SteriLid to take lid hygiene to the next level, answering a need that has been unfulfilled for too long.

SteriLid Eyelid Cleanser is comfortable and easy to use, yet has been shown to kill both the gram positive and gram negative bacteria most commonly responsible for endophthalmitis. Even in the presence of fourth generation fluoroquinolones, recent research has shown an approximately 3-fold increase in the incidence of endophthalmitis associated with the increasing popularity of clear corneal incisions.

To use SteriLid, patients press a dispenser on the top of the bottle and the product comes out as premixed, pre-diluted foam. �We see SteriLid as an important addition to the pre-surgical armamentarium particularly when it comes to cataract and LASIK surgery� said Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Vision Research. �All types of eye surgery will be just that much safer. In addition now doctors will have a gentle over-the-counter antibacterial product to kill the bacterial overgrowth associated with both anterior and posterior blepharitis.�

Dr. Gilbard began his research program on dry eye in 1976 as a first year medical student at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and then made critical breakthroughs while at the Schepens Eye Research Institute (SERI) from 1980 through 1995. This 18-year long research project, funded by the NIH, yielded TheraTears Brand Lubricant Eye Drops, and, later, TheraTears Nutrition (omega-3 supplement). TheraTears is the single most successful commercial project in the history of SERI. To date over $2,000,000 in royalties have been paid to SERI to fund research that fights blinding and painful eye diseases.

Advanced Vision Research is committed to eye research and the development of major advances in the treatment of eye disease. Information on the company and its products may be obtained by contacting Advanced Vision Research at 781-932-8327, by fax at 781-935-5075, by e-mail at info@theratears.com or at www.theratears.com.

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©2006 Advanced Vision Research, Inc. 660 Main Street, Woburn, MA 01801 USA. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.