ADVANCED VISION RESEARCH RECEIVES ISO CERTIFICATION AND CE MARKING FOR THERATEARS� LUBRICANT EYE DROPS

WOBURN, MA.—March 31, 2002-- Advanced Vision Research has announced the Company has received ISO 9001:1994 and EN 46001:1996 certification for its TheraTears® brand Lubricant Eye Drops.  The company plans to market and sell TheraTears as a rewetting and lubricant drop for use with contact lenses.

"Achieving ISO certification enhances our ability to efficiently design and develop new advances for improving people’s lives, deliver quality products on-time and supports our commitment to building strong customer relationships," states Jeff Gilbard, MD, Company Founder and President. "This certification and our CE Mark approval, moves us closer to realizing our goal of becoming a global leader in the development and delivery of innovative products for the treatment of eye disease."

The certification audit, conducted by a team of auditors from the British Standards Institution, was completed on March 8, 2002. The certification followed an extensive quality management program undertaken by Advanced Vision Research and their consultant and Authorized European Representative, the EMERGO Group.

TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops, the result of Dr. Gilbard’s 18-year research program, has now become one of the most widely recommended and successful products for dry-eye relief in the United States.  Distribution has grown rapidly in the last few years with TheraTears now available at all major drugstore, mass merchant and grocery chains nationwide.  The company is set to begin expanding internationally with a launch of TheraTears in Canada in the Spring of 2002 followed by its European launch later this year.

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 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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©2002 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.