OPHTHALMOLOGY

Gregory Eippert, MD

Q:

I heard there is a new trifocal intraocular lens for those having cataract surgery. What can you tell me about this new lens option? A: Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside your eye and are a natural part of aging. Cataracts prevent light and images from reaching the retina and objects can become blurred, colors become dull, and seeing at night is more difficult. In modern cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens or IOL.

IOL technology and design is continually evolving in order to improve visual outcomes, increase patient satisfaction with vision, and achieve independence from glasses after cataract surgery. When multifocal IOLs were first introduced, they were designed as a means of providing both near and distance vision improvement for patients undergoing cataract surgery, but patients continually required better intermediate vision. This need for clearer intermediate vision has been the impetus for the development of the new trifocal IOL technology, PanOptix.

The PanOptix trifocal IOL, the newest multifocal lens in the market, is FDA-approved and now available in the United States. This IOL, being used in more than 70 countries, has been shown to deliver a clear vision at near, intermediate, and distance while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery. It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens, to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions.

The design of the trifocal IOL utilizes improved light transmission and distribution between three focuses. It works by bending the light entering your eye from near, intermediate, and far distances and focusing this light onto a single point on your retina enabling you to focus on objects at different distances simultaneously for clear vision at all distances. This trifocal IOL may help to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. With the Toric version of this trifocal IOL, pre-existing astigmatism can be corrected as well. According to early clinical studies, the new PanOptix trifocal IOL provides good visual acuity at all distances, does not affect contrast sensitivity, and visual function is similar in different lighting situations. Patient reported outcomes indicate that the need for glasses is low after bilateral implantation of a trifocal IOL and that there is a low incidence of glare and halos. Results also showed high patient satisfaction with more than 99% of PanOptix patients saying they would choose the same lens again.

Cataract surgery is a once-in-alifetime opportunity to improve your vision and change the way you see your world. Choosing the right IOL involves evaluating your visual and lifestyle needs. Talk with your eye doctor about all the options for your cataract surgery including IOL choice and advanced surgery techniques. Depending on your lifestyle and the health and anatomy of your eyes, a PanOptix trifocal IOL may be the right option for you. Cataract surgery today, one of the safest and most often performed procedures, combined with the right IOL, can help you see the world more clearly than ever before.

Gregory Eippert, MD 8140 Norton Parkway Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-1115 www.opivision.com