Sunridge International, Inc engages in the manufacture and marketing of a fixation device in Canada and Europe. It provides vacuum fixation device and a patented design suction ring for the treatment of open angle glaucoma. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Company Officers
Victor Webb, Dir.
Theodore Tsagkaris, Dir.
John Sharkey, Dir.
G. Richard Smith, Dir., CEO, President
Gary R. Smith, CFO, Treasurer, Secretary

Wholly owned subsidary:
Ophthalmic International

Ophthalmic International is headquartered near Phoenix, Arizona and has a European office near Rome, Italy. The company's focus is on the development and commercialization of Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT), a non-invasive treatment for open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OH).

Over 67 Million people suffer from glaucoma worldwide. Over 63,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. If left untreated, glaucoma leads to blindness.
PNT has been shown to reduce or even eliminate the need for additional drug therapies.
Approximately 50% of responders have their drug therapy eliminated, with the remaining 50% can have their medication reduced.

What is PNT

PNeumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) is a non-invasive treatment under development for the treatment of open angle (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OH). While Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) is approved in several countries outside of the US, the product is under development in the United States and therefore is still considered an investigational device under current FDA regulations. In order to complete the registration process an additional clinical trial will be conducted under an approved investigational device exemption (IDE). Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) is intended to be performed in the eye care specialist office. Several studies (1-4) support that Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) may reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OH).

A reduction in IOP is generally accepted as having a beneficial effect in preserving vision in patients with glaucoma. Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) utilizes a vacuum fixation ring connected to a computerized vacuum controller. The ring is placed on the surface of the eye and a vacuum is applied for 1 minute. The procedure is normally repeated 1 week later. The duration of the IOP lowering effect is, on average, 3-4 months at which time the procedure can be repeated.

EQUIPMENT PNeumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) Vacuum Ring.
The PNT Vacuum Ring is a sterilized single-use disposable ring which is designed for use with the Model 1000 PNT Vacuum Controller. Both the equipment and procedure are covered by patents in all major markets including the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, China

The Model 1000 with integrated bar code reader and vacuum display

Ophthalmic International has been granted a 2a CE mark for both the Model 1000 Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) Vacuum Controller and PNeumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) Suction Ring allowing for the sale of the equipment within the European Economic Community. This PNeumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) equipment is the only equipment approved for performing Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT) within the EEC

 

WHAT'S NEXT

After ten years research, development and testing and an $12-million investment, they are now moving towards full-scale, worldwide distribution.

That begins with explaining the procedures to the specialists who treat glaucoma and obtaining approvals from healthcare authorities around the world.

Their business plan for the period 2010-2014 projects total revenues for the five-year period of $240 million, with over $163 million in net earnings before taxes. For accredited investors, this represents a very attractive investment proposition that commends itself for immediate consideration.

 

MARKETING

Distribution agreements are already in place for France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Serbia, Canada, and China. They are in negotiations for distribution to the remainder of the EU, Turkey, and Brazil. To date, their distributors have invested over $6.3 million in international market development.

Published Article in
HealthNewsDigest.com

 

The Vision Thing--For Real

By Michael D. Shaw, Contributing Columnist - HealthNewsDigest.com
Jan 24, 2010 - 1:00:00 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - It is most interesting that the word "vision" refers both to the sense of sight, as well as to something perceived in a manner other than through one's eyes. When presidential candidate George H.W. Bush asked a friend to help him identify some important issues for the upcoming campaign in 1988, it was suggested that Bush spend some time at Camp David to set his own presidential agenda.

Apparently unimpressed by his friend's advice, Bush-long experienced with nitty gritty details, but sometimes lacking in gauging the big picture, or at least having difficulties in expressing it-sardonically replied, "Oh, the vision thing."

The big picture on glaucoma-the so-called "sneak thief of sight" since it has few early symptoms-is that this group of diseases represents the second leading cause of blindness (second only to diabetes). Vision loss derives from damage to the optic nerve, frequently identified with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).

IOP is directly related to the amount of fluid (aqueous humor) within the eye, and can build up if the drainage system (trabecular meshwork) is not functioning properly.

While anyone can be at risk for glaucoma, some groups are more greatly affected:

• African Americans are five times more likely to contract glaucoma than Caucasians.
  
• In patients with glaucoma, African Americans are four times more likely to become blind than Caucasians, and between the ages of 45-64, this statistic jumps to 15 times more likely.
  
• While all people over the age of 60 are at greater risk, Mexican Americans seem to be hit especially hard.
  
• As in many conditions, family history can provide a risk factor.

Overall, glaucoma affects one in 200 people aged 50 and younger, and one in ten over the age of 80.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation points out that early detection, through regular and complete eye exams, is the key to protecting your vision from damage caused by glaucoma. Typical tests are tonometry, in which the IOP is measured, and ophthalmoscopy, whereby the interior of the eye-including the optic nerve-can be examined.

For those with the disease, typical treatment modalities involve medications such as eye drops or pills that act to lower the IOP, along with laser and conventional surgical intervention. Laser trabeculoplasty (remember that trabecular meshwork?) promotes better drainage. Conventional surgery creates actually creates a new opening for drainage. As with all drugs and surgical procedures, side effects and complications can occur. For some patients, compliance with the dosage schedule of the eye drops is a problem.

One novel therapy, called Pneumatic Trabeculoplasty (PNT), has been introduced by Ophthalmic International www.oi-pnt.com, a subsidiary of Sunridge International.

PNT is described by the company as a non-invasive, cost effective, alternative treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, performed in the doctor's office, under local (topical) anesthetic. PNT utilizes a vacuum fixation ring connected to a computerized vacuum controller. The ring is placed on the surface of the eye-held open by a speculum- and a vacuum is applied for one minute.

Five minutes later, the procedure is repeated; and this process can be reprised one week later, for even better results. IOP is checked one hour after the procedure. The duration of the IOP lowering effect is, on average, three to four months-at which time the procedure can be repeated. While PNT is approved in several countries outside of the United States (including Canada and the EEC), the product is under development here, and therefore is still considered an investigational device under current FDA regulations. Additional clinical trials are planned.

A number of recent studies attest to the safety and efficacy of PNT.

Approximately 75% of patients will exhibit an IOP reduction following PNT. Patients reported no serious side effects to vision and no changes in the visual field or optic nerve head. PNT can also be used for newly diagnosed patients who have yet to undergo pharmaceutical approaches.

Given the number of people affected by glaucoma, it is comforting that well over 100 clinical trials-implementing all sorts of therapies-are currently recruiting patients. For more information, visit NIH's registry www.clinicaltrials.gov. The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) also details advances in glaucoma treatment www.glaucoma.org/treating/advances.php.

GRF recommends the following examination schedule:

• Before age 40, every two to four years
• From age 40 to age 54, every one to three years
• From age 55 to 64, every one to two years
• After age 65, every six to 12 months
• Anyone with high risk factors, every year or two after age 35

Michael D. Shaw
Exec VP
Interscan Corporation

 

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Contact SNDZ.OB

www.oi-pnt.com
Address:
16857 East Saguaro Boulevard
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
United States
Email: inquiries@oi-pnt.com
Phone: 480-837-6165

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