NAL Norwoodabb Fpo

Norwood Abbey Ltd (ASX:NAL): Key Points: -- Russian Ministry of Health approval for next generation laser vision correction technology -- 75,000 procedures in Russia annually -- New technology eliminates cutting of eye and associated complications Norwood Devices, a division of medical technologies group Norwood Abbey Ltd (ASX:NAL), advises that the company has received approval from the Russian Ministry of Health to import and sell the Norwood EyeCare Epi-LASIK system, the next generation of laser vision correction (LVC) surgery. With the addition of the Russian approval, the product now has approval in all major territories in North America, Europe and Asia. Richard Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer of Norwood Devices, stated, "The market potential in Russia is significant. There are 75 laser refractive centres across Russia, with approximately 75,000 patient procedures being undertaken per year." The first Norwood EyeCare Epi-LASIK systems have been sold in Russia and will be commissioned for routine patient use shortly. Since 1989, when the first LVC procedures were carried out, more than 1.5 million patients have undergone laser surgery in Russia. In 2003, there were in excess of 3 million LVC procedures performed worldwide using approximately 5,700 LASIK cutting devices. Epi-LASIK combines the benefits of current laser vision correction procedures and eliminates their disadvantages -- particularly the need to cut the eye. Current vision correction surgery, called LASIK, has two stages. The first stage of preparing the eye for the laser procedure currently relies on a cutting device called a "microkeratome" to create a stromal "flap" on the surface of the eye, which is then peeled back. The second stage is the laser treatment to correct the patient's vision, which has been used for a number of years and is a widely accepted and proven technology. Finally, the stromal "flap" is replaced. Industry statistics indicate that complications occur in a percentage of patients as a result of cutting the eye. The next generation approach, Epi-LASIK treatment, uses the Norwood EyeCare system and EpiEdge(TM) disposable separator, removing the need to cut the eye and hence eliminating associated complications. This unique instrument gently separates a thin layer of living cells, called the epithelium, on the outside of the eye, along a natural cleavage plane. The clinician then moves the epithelial sheet to one side, the laser corrects the vision and the epithelial sheet is then moved back into place with minimal surgical manipulation. For further information on Norwood EyeCare visit www.norwoodeyecare.com.