ADVANCING THE FUTURE OF VISION

Having good vision plays an important role in healthy living, as it allows people to be active. As the world of ophthalmology evolves, Abbott is excited to introduce new innovations to help people see their best.

In today’s society, no one wants to miss a beat, and poor vision can prevent us from pursuing some of our favorite activities. Whether you're a kid playing baseball, a professional athlete in the National Basketball Association playoffs or an astronaut spending a year in space, it's important to care for your vision. The field of ophthalmology – the study and treatment of the eye and vision problems – is rapidly changing in unexpected ways. "Wearables" for your eyes, bionic eyes, personalized cataract treatments, these are all advances that have either arrived or will soon be hitting the mainstream.

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting is in April, and Abbott's vision business will be there. This is the meeting where leaders in the field come together to talk about the newest advances to help people see their very best, and we’ll be introducing several new vision solutions there.

Forget what you knew about cataracts.
New advances in technology are changing the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for people with cataracts, as they seek solutions earlier in life. One example of this is our new TECNIS^® multifocal intraocular lenses (IOL), launching at ASCRS. With multiple lenses available, doctors can now offer personalized treatment options based on each person's individual vision preferences.

We're also launching an IOL delivery system to help doctors treat cataracts with more efficiency and also a compact device used for breaking up cataracts.

Overall, Abbott will introduce seven new products for people with vision needs in nine markets around the world in 2015.

Looking to the Future
The future of ophthalmology is constantly evolving, and we continue to challenge ourselves to think about this space differently. Every day, scientists are driving the possibilities for vision health forward by applying new and amazing technologies.

And, we're testing the limits of innovation, seeking insights from new places. For instance,Abbott is partnering with NASA to study how outer space affects vision, and these study results may reveal ways to improve people's sight here on earth. And we're always seeking partners, who share our energy for developing the next technology breakthrough that will help people see their best.

"The mission of Abbott's vision business will always be to help people maintain good vision with minimal dependence on glasses," said David Tanzer, M.D., divisional vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, Medical Optics, Abbott. "And we'll continue to develop leading innovations in ophthalmology so people around the world can stay active and lead their fullest lives possible, regardless of their age."

What is an IOL? Click here to find out.

Click here to see how this lens improved Melissa's vision.