October 10, 2002 For Immediate Release

For Information Contact Ellen Yu / Steven Clark Andover Communications 201-947-4133 or elleny@eclipse.net

PRIO REDESIGNS THE NEARPOINT ROD

(Beaverton, OREGON) PRIO Corporation, the leader in computer vision care, has taken the lead in redesigning the Nearpoint Rod (NPR). It is the first significant redesign in almost 80 years.

According to Jon Torrey, President/CEO of PRIO Corporation, "The PRIO Retractable Nearpoint Rod makes testing at near and intermediate distances faster, easier and more convenient."

The PRIO NPR is intended to ease the doctor's most common complaint of the rod "getting in the way." The new improved rod:

• Fits on the phoropter and replaces the standard 26" long, rigid model.
• Provides retractability, whereby the end of the rod can be retracted or extended (telescopes) to change the working distance to the target. This also allows a rotochart or PRIO Vision Tester to be mounted at the end of the rod.
• Eliminates the end of the rod protruding beyond the target, often times hitting the top of the doctor's head.
• Offers a new quick-release feature that allows one-handed installation or removal of the target, so that a standard rotochart or a PRIO Vision Tester can be interchanged very quickly.

Early indications from eye doctors have been very favorable. "The nearpoint rod brings a level of flexibility that previously was unavailable," said Dr. Cary Herzberg of Aurora, IL. "Ergonomically, it's a big step forward. And the freedom from having to worry about running into the end of the rod is tremendous."

The PRIO Retractable Nearpoint Rod is available for an introductory price of $249, or $50 off the list price, until 12/31/02. It is currently being offered to fit all standard phoropters with a 10 mm diamond cross section reading rod, such as models from AO, Topcon, Marco, Reichert, and many others. Adapters to fit other rod configurations will be available later this year.

For more information on PRIO or the Retractable Nearpoint Rod, call or visit www.prio.com.

PRIO® is a registered trademark of PRIO Corporation.