SAN DIEGO, Dec. 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OccuLogix, Inc. dba TearLab Corporation (Nasdaq:TEAR) (TSX:TLB), announced today that Health Canada has issued a Medical Device License for the TearLab Osmolarity System. TearLab is intended to measure the osmolarity of human tears to aid in the diagnosis of patients with signs or symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED), in conjunction with other methods of clinical evaluation. The Health Canada license allows the company to immediately begin marketing the system in Canada.
"TearLab represents an excellent solution for practitioners and patients alike, as it offers a rapid and very easy to undertake screening for tear osmolality values in the practice, with no discomfort to the patient," stated optometrist and researcher, Lyndon Jones PhD. Dr. Jones is a professor at the University of Waterloo's School of Optometry and Associate Director of the Centre for Contact Lens Research and has used the TearLab device in a variety of studies for several months.
Elias Vamvakas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TearLab Corporation said, "This Health Canada approval is another significant regulatory and commercialization milestone for our Company. In many respects, Canadian optometrists and ophthalmologists have been at the forefront of eye care innovation. Accordingly, we are confident that they will quickly adopt TearLab as an adjunct to their practices."
About The TearLab(TM) Osmolarity System
The TearLab(TM) Osmolarity System uses a novel lab-on-a-chip approach that requires less than 50 nL (nanoliters) of tear fluid in order to measure tear Osmolarity. The TearLab(TM) Osmolarity System eliminates the challenges that previously prevented point-of-care Osmolarity testing. The TearLab(TM) System can produce a sample-to-answer result in less than 30 seconds.
About Dry Eye Disease
DED is a common condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the surface of the eye sufficiently lubricated. It affects approximately 40 million people in the US and 100 million people worldwide. In its mild to moderate forms, it can impact vision and the ability to go about daily activities. In its more severe forms, DED can lead to permanent loss of vision.
About OccuLogix, Inc. dba TearLab Corporation
OccuLogix, Inc. dba TearLab Corporation (www.tearlab.com) develops and markets lab-on-a-chip technologies that enable eye care practitioners to improve standard of care by objectively and quantitatively testing for disease markers in tears at the point-of-care. The TearLab Osmolarity Test, for diagnosing Dry Eye Disease, is the first assay developed for the award winning TearLab Osmolarity System. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, TearLab Corporation's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol 'TEAR' and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'TLB'.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. Many factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including the factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to our Forms 10-K and 10-Q. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.