News & Events Press Releases   Brian J Carey, MD Darwin J Liao, MD, MPH 523 Pine Street Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98101 206 652-9000 206 381-1732 FAX

Contact: Darwin J. Liao, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Eye M.D.s, 206-652-9000, dliao@eyemds.net Pierre Fay, Eyeweb.com, 212-331-1135, pfay@eyeweb.com SEATTLE EYE M.D.s OFFERS CONSUMERS A NEW WAY TO SELECT EYEGLASSES ONLINE WITH THE EYEWEB.COM SYSTEM Revolutionary System Combines Virtual Try-On Technology with In-Store Service to Provide Ultimate Eyewear Shopping Experience Seattle, WA, June 2, 2000 - Seattle Eye M.D.s announces the launch of a revolutionary new service available in the heart of Downtown Seattle's retail corridor at Sixth and Pine (523 Pine Street, Suite 200). Powered by Eyeweb.com, Seattle Eye M.D.s is now offering consumers the ability to select and try-on an expanded selection of eyeglasses frames, lenses, and sunglasses on their computer from home using their own photograph. Seattle Eye M.D.s is the first location in Seattle to deliver the EyeWeb.com experience to its patients and customers. How Eyeweb.com Works Seattle Eye M.D.s uses their in-store Eyeweb imager to capture a high-resolution, digital image of the customer's face, plus all the information (including prescription) needed to select and purchase a perfect set of frames. A unique Eyeweb calibration system captures the customer's precise facial and feature dimensions with the image, and stores the data at Eyeweb.com. The customer receives a personal user/store I.D. and password to access their image on Eyeweb.com, where they can search for, try on and order fashion eyewear frames from the Seattle Eye M.D.s' online "eyewear boutique." The customer selects their frame and lenses and places an order online through Eyeweb.com. Eyeweb.com forwards the online order to the office of Seattle Eye M.D.s who prepares the order. The customer visits the Seattle Eye M.D.s Optical Shop for the final fitting, completes the sale and collects their new eyewear. "The benefits of Eyeweb.com's technology are perfectly suited to the fashion-forward and tech-savvy-oriented individuals of the Pacific Northwest. The ability for customers to log online and get second opinions on eyewear from significant others, friends, or family members who may not have been able to accompany the customer to our retail location is just one advantage. Busy professionals, as well as customers that simply don't have a large amount of time to spend in an optical shop trying on frames, can use EyeWeb to save time in selecting their eyewear", states Darwin J. Liao, M.D., M.P.H. "Eyeweb technology enhances our business by delivering a high technology edge over the traditional eyewear purchase experience. This technology complements our dedication to providing a state-of-the-art clinic and optical shop to provide the best possible patient care and customer service. Individuals looking for their glasses to make a fashion statement, get excited about the prospects of "trying on" frames and sunglasses over the Internet before purchasing them. EyeWeb makes buying glasses fun, rather than a chore", adds Brian J. Carey, M.D. Eyeweb strengthens the retailer-consumer relationship by increasing selection, personalizing the shopping experience and providing convenient, around-the-clock search/try-on capability. While most eyewear retailers are limited in the number of frames they can carry in-house, Eyeweb offers customers immediate access to a much larger selection of frames that traditionally require special orders and fulfillment. "The fashion eyewear market is becoming increasingly competitive, with challenges on many fronts. Eyeweb revolutionizes how the eyewear industry does business and helps retailers be flexible in meeting the needs of today's fashion-conscious and tech-savvy consumers," said Pierre Faÿ, Eyeweb's president and CEO. "Eyeweb's cutting-edge technology gives retailers a distinct advantage in a rapidly evolving marketplace."   About Seattle Eye M.D.s Seattle Eye M.D.s is a state-of-the-art ophthalmology clinic and optical shop located conveniently in the heart of Downtown Seattle at the corner of Sixth and Pine. The clinic is staffed by Eye M.D.s (ophthalmologists), medical doctors that are trained to diagnose and treat eye conditions and disorders, as well as perform eye surgery. Seattle Eye M.D.s is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive eyecare. The latest technologies, from electronic medical records, digital imaging, and a Nikon computerized refraction (eyeglasses testing) system, have been integrated to provide efficient and quality eye care and an improved patient-physician experience. Additional information about Seattle Eye M.D.s is available on the web at www.eyemds.net.   About Eyeweb Headquartered in New York's Silicon Alley, Eyeweb is a revolutionary online shopping destination for fashion eyewear that combines the power of the Internet with the personalized in-store service associated with eyewear retailers. With a focus on making eyewear shopping fast, fashionable and fun, Eyeweb's patented virtual try-on technology allows eyewear retailers to extend their product lines beyond their physical store walls and onto the Internet. Eyeweb offers the ultimate personal shopping experience by allowing customers to use their own image to search for, try on and order a perfect set of eyewear. Today, the Eyeweb system has been installed in 15 retailers in the New York area and 5 retailers in Western Washington and offers more than 15,000 fashion frames in its online database. Find out more about Eyeweb by visiting www.eyeweb.com.