BioTissue® Introduces New Procedure for Conjunctivochalasis at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

New surgical procedure reduces inflammation and promotes healing for faster recovery

MIAMI, Fla., April 24, 2014 – BioTissue^® Inc, the industry leader in regenerative tissue therapies for ocular surface diseases and disorders, will introduce the Reservoir Restoration Procedure for Conjunctivochalasis (CCH) Dry Eye at this year’s American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) taking place April 25-29, 2014 in Boston.

The Reservoir Restoration Procedure restores the tear reservoir and tear meniscus to their natural states using cryopreserved amniotic membrane and inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity. While there are currently different techniques for CCH, none currently address the Tenon’s capsule, which new evidence suggests will lead to more successful and durable outcomes. This new surgical procedure offers two techniques that remove the unhealthy Tenon, one using sutures, and the other without.

“Although it is common and straightforward to diagnose, CCH is often overlooked as the cause of recalcitrant dry eye symptoms,” says Clifford Salinger, MD, Cornea and Refractive Consultants of the Palm Beaches. “When surgery is necessary, a Reservoir Restoration Procedure with BioTissue^®’s AmnioGraft^® effectively restores the visible tear meniscus and the inferior fornix tear reservoir to re-establish a normal ocular surface environment.”

The new procedure will be showcased at BioTissue^®’s booth #913 and at the following events:

• Clifford L. Sallinger, MD and Neel Desai, MD will discuss the procedure as part of BioTissue^®’s Ask the Experts series at its booth throughout the conference.
• Scheffer C. G. Tseng, MD, PhD and Clifford L. Sallinger, MD will introduce the procedure at a breakfast symposium on Monday, April 28th from 6:00am – 7:00am at the Seaport Hotel.

Additionally, Preeya K. Gupta, MD and Brandon D. Ayres, MD will present New Therapeutic Options for Ocular Surface Inflammation on Sunday, April 27th from 6:00am – 7:00am. And, as part of the Ask the Expert Series (booth #913) leaders in the field of the treatment of ocular surface diseases and conditions will discuss topics including Addressing Inflammation from Triage to Chronic Management, Updates for Treating Demodex, and PROKERA^® SLIM for Corneal Wound Healing after Superficial Keratectomy.

“Our new Reservoir Restoration Procedure with AminoGraft^® uses cryopreserved amniotic membrane to help reduce inflammation, promote regenerative healing, suppress pain, and achieve superior cosmetic results,” said Tom Daniells, Chief Commercial Officer, BioTissue^® Inc “For patients with CCH dry eye this is extremely beneficial as it helps to speed recovery and provides a solution for those patients who don’t respond well to medical treatment.”

CCH is loosened, shortened and wrinkled conjunctiva which interferes with the tear meniscus and diminishes the fornix or tear reservoir. The cause is the underlying Tenon’s capsule being degenerated or dissolved by matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). This wrinkled tissue occupies the tear reservoir and prevents the eye from holding tears, causing pain and irritation that feels similar to dry eye symptoms. Often, some of the wrinkled conjunctival tissue can disrupt the tear meniscus at the edge of the eyelids. When a patient blinks, this wrinkled conjunctiva can rub against the eye, causing further irritation and redness to an already inflamed eye.

About BioTissue^®

BioTissue^® Inc, a subsidiary of TissueTech™, is a privately held ophthalmic biotechnology company that develops innovative wound healing and hygiene solutions for the prevention and treatment of ocular surface diseases and disorders. BioTissue^® provides a comprehensive line of cryopreserved amniotic membrane ocular wound healing products, including AmnioGraft^®, a biologic ocular transplantation graft; AmnioGuard^®, a biologic glaucoma shunt tube graft; and the PROKERA^® family of biologic corneal bandage devices. These products incorporate human amniotic membrane processed with the Company’s proprietary CryoTek^® method that ensures the tissue retains its full biologic activity to reduce inflammation, promote healing, minimize corneal scarring and pain, and inhibit the angiogenic process. BioTissue^® also developed and markets Cliradex^®, an all-natural lid, lash and facial cleanser with isolated 4-Terpineol, the most important component of tea tree oil (TTO), for the management of symptoms in lid margin conditions such as blepharitis, demodex, and rosacea. For more information, visit www.biotissue.com.