Seal of Acceptance for Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism

Jacksonville, Fla., June 26, 2008

Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism became the fourth contact lens in the Acuvue family of products to receive the AOA Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from the American Optometric Association's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards.

The announcement was made in Seattle at the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA).

In awarding the Seal of Acceptance, AOA's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards, which provides independent evaluation of ophthalmic related products, determined that Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, which just launched in the U.S. this week, meets AOA specifications for ultraviolet absorbing contact lenses.

The specifications are in accordance with published standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Standards Organization (ISO).

"The greatest measure of UV protection can be achieved with a combination of UV-absorbing sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and UV-blocking contact lenses," says Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, Director, Clinical Care Group, AOA.

"Not all contact lens lines offer UV protection, and, of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels," explains Sheila Hickson-Curran, Director, Medical Affairs, Vistakon (a Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.).

"Acuvue Advance with Hydraclear, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus and Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism offer the highest level of UV-blocking available, blocking more than 90 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays that reach the lens. Because they cover the entire cornea and limbus, UV-blocking contact lenses offer an added level of protection when worn with UV blocking sunglasses. While many sunglasses will block UV rays that enter through the lenses, most do not prevent unfiltered rays from reaching the eyes through the sides, as well as the top, and/or bottom of the glasses. Due to their inability to block these peripheral rays, some sunglasses block as little as 50 percent of all UV radiation from reaching the eyes."

All Acuvue Contact Lenses offer effective UV-blocking - in addition Acuvue Advance with Hydraclear, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus and Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism carry the AOA's Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses.

Source: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.