NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) -- Abbott Laboratories said Tuesday that it received U.S. regulatory approval for a product used to protect the eye in cataract surgery.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the company's Healon EndoCoat gel to coat the eye during surgery, reducing damage to the cornea.
About three million people in the U.S. undergo cataract surgery each year to replace blurry lenses in the eye, according to marketing data cited by Abbott.
Abbott Laboratories shares rose 26 cents to $64.89 in midday trading.
