Iridex Corp. announced Tuesday that it has received two large orders from developing countries for proprietary ophthalmic laser-based medical systems. The orders, totaling more than $500,000, demonstrate the growth of the ophthalmology market in the "BRIC" (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies and have begun causing a paradigm shift in the US and European markets based on the advances of laser-based therapy treatments, said President and CEO Will Moore. “We believe that the growth in the market for lasers is being driven in large part by the rapid spread of diabetes and diabetes-related eye diseases in developing countries as well as the practicality of new laser treatments,” Moore said. The health systems in many developing countries are not equipped to support current drug treatments for diabetes-related eye diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME), he said. Typical treatment includes a regular series of drug injections in the eye, which are costly and impractical in remote areas. Iridex’s lasers are “as effective as drugs in terms of outcomes, are much less costly to a healthcare system, and are much easier to administer from a logistics standpoint because they provide durable results,” Moore said. For more information, visit: www.iridex.com