07-18-94 Laser donated to Optometry NOTE: Reporters are invited to a reception thanking Summit Technology Inc. for its support of the College of Optometry on Thursday, July 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Alumni Lounge at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, 2400 Olentangy River Rd. Expected to attend are: Dr. David Muller, president of Summit; Dr. Ron Herskowitz, vice president of Summit; Jerry May, vice president for University Development Ohio State; Dr. Richard Hill, dean of the College of Optometry; Dr. Joseph Barr, director of clinics, and faculty and students of the College of Optometry. The program will include remarks by Dr. Barr and Dr. Herskowitz, as well as a ceremonial presentation of the keys to the laser to Dean Hill. SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY DONATES $300,000 EXCIMER LASER COLUMBUS -- Summit Technology Inc. of Waltham, Mass., a leader in the development and manufacture of ophthalmic refractive laser systems, has donated a $300,000 ExciMed UVLA 200 Laser System to The Ohio State University College of Optometry. The gift is the first of its kind to any college of optometry and is part of an educational program to familiarize optometrists with principles of laser applications, to refine referral criteria, and to instruct optometrists in pre- and post- procedure management. "This is one of the largest corporate gifts ever received by the Ohio State College of Optometry and enables us to become involved with an exciting new technology," said Joseph Barr, chief of optometry clinics at Ohio State. "We're already using the laser to give demonstrations to students." The laser is used to change the optical power of the front of the eye, specifically by reshaping the cornea to achieve refractive correction resulting in clearer vision. The laser provides procedures that are an alternative to spectacles, contact lenses, and manual refractive surgical procedures for the treatment of myopia, (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. The laser is also used to reduce existing corneal scars. The College of Optometry is using the laser in cooperation with refractive surgeons to educate and investigate these new clinical procedures. Summit, which presently markets excimer lasers in other countries, recently requested approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the excimer laser for photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and other refractive procedures in the United States. Summit also received permission from the FDA to begin the third phase of its U.S. clinical trials for the treatment of hyperopia and astigmatism. Ohio State is developing a core curriculum for third- and fourth-year optometry students in the basic science, research and clinical management of PRK. Because the FDA has not yet given the go-ahead for PRK, students will observe laser procedures performed on non-human cadaver eyes only. The students will also be trained to select appropriate PRK candidates, do pre-procedure evaluations, and then manage patients after the procedure. As part of an agreement with Summit, this curriculum will be made available to other schools and colleges of optometry in the U.S. Ohio State and Summit Technology will also become partners in offering continuing education programs in laser procedures for interested private practitioners. This year, professional meetings in three cities will provide continuing education credit for optometrists in photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and other laser procedures. The meetings will be in Chicago on August 5-7, in Orlando on October 1 and 2, and San Diego on December 7 and 8. For more information, or to register for the Chicago meeting, contact Karen Green at 614-292-0818. The program will include demonstrations, videos and presentations by recognized experts in laser technology and procedures, Barr said. Optometrists will observe laser procedures, both "live" (on non-human eyes) and on tape (on human eyes). They will then be trained on patient screening and selection, pre-operative evaluation, and post-operative managements. "We're enthused about working with Summit Technology to prepare optometrists to become part of the O.D.-M.D. team that selects and manages patients undergoing laser procedures," Barr said. "We're proud to be at the forefront of this emerging technology, and to do our part to inform optometrists about laser procedures," notes Ron Herskowitz, vice president of Summit. "Summit recognizes the need to work closely with educators to update the optometric curriculum." "There's no doubt that optometrists need to understand laser procedures, and know how to manage laser patients in order to prepare for practice in this decade and beyond the year 2000," Herskowitz said. "We're pleased to bring this advanced technology together with the leading educators at Ohio State." For information please contact Joseph Barr, Director of Clinics, Ohio State College of Optometry, 338 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, (614) 292-0437 or Elizabeth Carroll, Summit Technology Inc., 21 Hickory Drive, Waltham, MA, 02154, (617) 890-1234, ext. 126 or by FAX at 617-890-0313. Lamar Zigler and Frank Bickle, alumni of Ohio State's College of Optometry now in private practice, are available to speak to reporters about the laser, PRK, and the educational programs. Zigler can be reached at (614) 299-2183, 299-7118, 262- 2020, and 262-0174. Bickle can be reached at (614) 366-7341. # [Submitted by: REIDV (reidv@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu) Tue, 19 Jul 1994 10:16:41 -0500 (EST)] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.