NEW THERATEARS CONTACT LENS COMFORT DROPS PROMISES TO IMPROVE CONTACT LENS COMFORT FOR MILLIIONS

WOBURN, MA, November 19, 2004-- Advanced Vision Research, an industry leader in dry eye research and product development, has announced that TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops (10 ml), with a hypotonic tear-matched electrolyte-balance formula, are now available in the United States.  Placing new TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops on a contact lens immediately prior to insertion provides contact lens comfort on insertion, and applying TheraTears while wearing lenses improves comfort all day long.  TheraTears is approved for use with all soft and RGP contact lenses.

“About half of all contact lens wearers put up with dry eye discomfort every day, and  72% of contact lens dropouts quit because of these dry eye symptoms,” said Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Vision Research.  “Now with TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops and TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes (omega-3 supplement with flaxseed oil, fish oil and vitamin E) we expect to decrease those numbers significantly, and to enable millions of contact lens wearer to wear their lenses longer and with greater comfort.”

TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops provide the same hypotonic tear-matched- electrolyte-balance formula as the entire line of TheraTears lubricant eye drops, and, like TheraTears in a bottle, contains perborate, the disappearing preservative that changes to oxygen and water on eye contact.

“We know that contact lenses sit all night in solutions primarily designed to kill bacteria, and not primarily designed for comfort, and that the normal saline that disposable lenses are stored in is also quite irritating” said Dr. Gilbard. “Why not put TheraTears, the most comfortable eye drop in the world, on the lens prior to insertion? I tried this myself, and noticed the stinging and burning usually associated with contact lens insertion was gone.”   That day the idea for TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops was born.

“TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops joins TheraTears Nutrition, preservative-free TheraTears, TheraTears in a bottle, and TheraTears Liquid Gel as part of our strategy of ‘Complete Dry Eye Relief for Everyone’,” said Dr. Gilbard.

TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops in preservative-free single-use vials was launched in 1995.  It was the result of an 18-year research program, funded by the National Eye Institute, dedicated to developing the first effective treatment for dry eyes.  It’s preservative-free delivery system and patented electrolyte balance eliminates preservative-induced toxicity and electrolyte imbalance toxicity, while providing patients with dry-eye relief that is convenient to use.  In 2000, the company introduced TheraTears in a multi-use bottle with a gentle, disappearing preservative for milder dry-eye symptoms.   TheraTears Liquid Gel for nighttime use and TheraTears Nutrition, a nutritional supplement that provides the foundation for all dry-eye treatment were both introduced in 2003.   An Economy Size 1 oz bottle has also been introduced in 2004.

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 telephone number 781-932-8327 by fax at 781-935-5075 or by e-mail at info@theratears.com. Information can also obtained by visiting the TheraTears website at www.theratears.com.

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© 2004 Advanced Vision Research, Inc. 12 Alfred Street, Suite 200, Woburn, MA 01801 USA.  All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.