TOKYO – Bausch + Lomb Japan, a subsidiary company of Bausch + Lomb, the global eye health company, and Topcon Medical Japan, a sales subsidiary company of Topcon, a leading ophthalmic diagnostic and medical device company, today announced a key collaboration to co-promote their ophthalmic surgical products in Japan – including introduction of the Stellaris® PC (Procedural Choice) Vision Enhancement System.

Stellaris PC and the Stellaris PC packs have been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and are now available in Japan. Stellaris PC received regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe in 2010.

With the introduction of Stellaris PC, new options are now available for an estimated 100,000 patients who undergo vitreoretinal surgery annually*¹ for retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions that can lead to early blindness, if untreated. In Japan cataract surgery is often carried out simultaneously with vitreoretinal surgery. Both surgeries, when done with Stellaris PC, utilize a state-of-the-art system for small incision size, supporting rapid post-operative patient recovery. In addition, Stellaris PC, with its dual capabilities in one surgical unit, reduces operating room space requirements, and also reduces costs.

Stellaris PC offers the following benefits to surgeons and their patients:
*¹Source: MHLW statistics

• Procedural Choice: Select vitrectomy, cataract, or combined procedures.
• Efficient Vitrectomy: 5000cpm designed to reduce traction and turbulence
• Three surgeon controlled filters for increased safety and differentiated viewing
• Small footprint maximizing space in a small operating room
• Wireless foot pedal eliminates cord clutter and provides dual linear control
• User friendly interface and one-step priming reduces down time between surgeries and allows for simple transition from cataract to vitrectomy procedures

Under the agreement, Bausch + Lomb Japan is responsible for importing product and Topcon Medical Japan is responsible for sales, maintenance and service. The two companies share responsibility for promotional activities.

Hideyuki Ashikaga, President, Bausch + Lomb Japan, said: “The launch of Stellaris PC reaffirms Bausch + Lomb’s commitment to introducing innovative products to the Japanese market. We anticipate that the combination of Topcon’s sales strength and service organization with Bausch + Lomb’s technology will advance the standards of eye care as the aging of Japan’s population continues.”

“This partnership with Bausch + Lomb is an excellent opportunity for Topcon Medical Japan to significantly enhance our product offerings to our customers,” said, Hiroshi Fukuzawa, General Manager, Eye Care Business Unit, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Topcon. “Stellaris PC is a next generation product that will evolve the surgical landscape in Japan by providing the most advanced technology for both vitreoretinal and cataract surgery in a single system. With a full-scale entry into the vitreoretinal and cataract surgery systems, we expect sales synergies with our already existing OCT (optical coherence tomography), operation microscope, ophthalmic laser and our other products.”

About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com/

About Topcon Corporation (TSE:7732)
Topcon operates in three business segments, Eye Care Business Unit, Positioning Business Unit, and Finetech Business Unit, with integration of the optical technologies it has nurtured since its foundation in 1932 and the latest digital technologies. As the world’s leading brand of ophthalmic instruments, its Eye Care Business Unit has developed a wide range of ophthalmic instruments and systems for eye examination, measurement, diagnosis and treatment. Recently it has been focusing on the development of system solutions, advanced ophthalmic medical instruments, diabetic screening and other preventive medical devices. www.topcon.co.jp/en/

About Vitreoretinal Surgery
Vitreoretinal surgery is the treatment of disorders related to the retina, vitreous and macula. Ophthalmic surgeons use specialized techniques, instruments and solutions to treat conditions that include retinal detachment, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. Retinal and vitreous problems can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness. In some cases, surgery may be beneficial and – if done at the right time – might prevent severe loss of vision.

About Cataract Surgery
An estimated 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide and approximately 33 percent of visual impairments are due to cataracts. Over 15 million cataract surgeries are performed worldwide each year. A cataract is a clouding on the normally clear lens in the eye. Cataract surgery is a simple procedure during which the natural lens in the patient’s eye is surgically replaced with an intraocular lens.