The Biggest Problem Right In Front of Your Eyes

Golden Optometric Group Seeks Participants for Clinical Trial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 December 2018

David C. Ardaya, O.D., M.H.A
Phone: (562) 692-1208
Email: dca@goldenoptometric.com

Whittier, California — Nearsightedness or myopia is often thought to be simply an annoyance that requires children to wear glasses or contact lenses, but this condition is far from benign. It is now well established that people with myopia have an elevated risk of developing potentially blinding conditions such as glaucoma, choroidal neovascularization, and retinal detachment.^1,2 Even more alarming is the dramatic rise in the prevalence of myopia that we have seen around the world over the last 45 years.³It is now estimated that 5 billion people will have myopia by 2050.⁴

Myopia has increased so much in some East Asian countries that 80-90% of school-aged children are affected.^5,6 In China alone, over 450 million people are myopic prompting Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year to issue a directive to protect children’s eyesight that includes increased regulations and control over internet video games.⁷

Based on foundational technology developed with academic partners, SightGlass Vision, Inc. is running a clinical trial for FDA approval for spectacles that have been designed to correct myopia as well as reduce the rate of myopic progression in children. Currently available glasses in the United States only correct myopia, but do not help prevent it from getting worse.

Golden Optometric is one of 14 clinical sites actively recruiting participants in North America.

Study participants must be 6- to 9-years old. The study involves using the study glasses for up to three years. Trial participants will be able to choose from a variety of eye glass frames and will be asked to use one of three types of lenses instead of their normal glasses.

Children will be assessed by a study doctor and, if suitable, be invited to participate in the study and to attend up to 14 further visits over three years. The glasses used in the study are provided at no cost and participants will be paid a small reimbursement for time and travel expenses. Children participating will also receive comprehensive eye care at no cost during the time they are in the study.

Parents who are interested in having their 6- to 9-year-old child with myopia participate in this clinical trial can find more information at www.kidsvision.info or contact Dr. Ardaya with Golden Optometric Group at (562) 692-1208.

About Golden Optometric Group: Golden Optometric Group was founded in 1959 by Sheldon M. Golden,OD following his graduation from U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry. In 1972, Dr. Sheldon Golden moved his practice to its current location of 11245 E Washington Blvd. in Whittier, CA and later opened a second location in West Covina. Dr. David Ardaya is a partner and the current president of Golden Optometric Group’s Whittier location and is actively involved in clinical research, acting as the principal investigator multiple clinical trials.Through his leadership he strives to provide personalized and compassionate care to all patients. Dr. Ardaya is a past President of the Orange County Optometric Society and was recognized as Young Optometrist of the Year in 2009 by the California Optometric Association.

Disclaimer: This press release contains “forward-looking information”, including “future oriented financial information” and “financial outlook”, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company’s business,projects and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth;(v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company’s projects; (vi) completion of the Company’s projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; and (vi) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment.

These statements do not guarantee future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

References:

1. Mitchell P, Hourihan F, Sandbach J, Wang JJ. The relationship between glaucoma and myopia: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmol 1999; 106(10): 2010-2015.
2. Robboy MW, Hilmantel G, Tarver ME, Eydelman MB. Assessment of Clinical Trials for Devices Intended to Control Myopia Progression in Children. Eye & Contact Lens 2018;0: 1–8.
3. Walline JJ, Robboy MW, Hilmantel G, Tarver ME, Afshari NA, Dhaliwal DK, Morse CL, Quinn CJ, Repka MX, Eydelman MB. Food and Drug Administration, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Optometric Association,American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists Co-Sponsored Workshop: Controlling the Progression of Myopia: Contact Lenses and Future Medical Devices. Eye Contact Lens. 2018;44(4):205-211.
4. Holden BA, Fricke TR,Wilson DA, Jong M, Naido KS, Sankaridurg P, Wong TY, Naduvilath TJ, Resnikoff S. Global prevalence of myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050.Ophthalmol 2016;123: 1036-1042.
5. Morgan IG, Ohno-Matsui K, Saw SM. Myopia. Lancet 2012;379: 1739-48.
6. Dolgin, E. The Myopia Boom. Nature 2015; 519(7543): 276–278.
7. Roantree AM, Glenn E. Tencent Loses $20 Billion in Value After China Attacks Myopia With Gaming Curbs.Reuters (2018, August 30). Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com

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