Pentax 2004 Annual Report Download - page 20

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IOL
DEVELOPMENT
18
Health Care
The Health Care division handles business related to IOLs and contact lenses.
IOLs are artificial lenses used to replace the clouded natural crystalline lenses in cataract patients, allowing them to
recover their sight. Hoya has been conducting research and development in this field for some time, and is strengthening its
sales operations in Japan and Europe.
Hoya began selling IOLs in Europe in September 2003, after obtaining a CE Marking*1, and sales are being expanded
through the conclusion of marketing contracts with prominent distributors in each country. All of these distributors have
strong networks in their respective countries, and sales are growing steadily.
In the United States, clinical trials*2have begun, with the aim of receiving FDA*3certification and launching a prod-
uct in 2007.
Fiscal 2004 was a year in which Hoya was able to gain a foothold in Europe and the U.S. for international develop-
ment of the IOL business.
In terms of products, a redesigned lens effective for secondary cataracts was launched in May 2003. An injector used
to insert IOLs during surgery was launched in January 2004, and has been highly praised by ophthalmologists for its ease of
use. Looking ahead, Hoya plans to introduce yellow IOLs, with a lens color that more closely matches the actual color of the
natural lens of the eye, as well as an injector cartridge that permits a smaller incision during surgery.
The contact lens business is not expected to experience rapid growth like the IOL business, but it remains extremely
Many long months and years have already been spent in the development of IOLs.
Manufacturers have used feedback from the medical community to improve materials,
design, processing and surgical instruments, bringing the industry to the level it has
achieved today. Hoya’s IOLs have been developed using direct feedback from ophthal-
mologists. They have been highly praised for their ease of insertion during surgery and
control of secondary cataracts, and have also been launched in Europe. Hoya consistently
pursues development in the spirit of innovation, in order to stand out in the market.
HOYA 2004-e 入稿用0705 04.7.22 8:00 PM ページ 19