Two new intraocular lenses (IOLs) that restore vision to those suffering with cataracts are now available in the United States. The new TECNIS® Multifocal IOLs are developed by Abbott and provide people who have cataracts the option to have a range of distance — intermediate and near vision — and provides a customized treatment based on their personal lifestyle and vision necessities.
Cataract surgery is a very common procedure in the US; it is among the most frequent and safe procedures currently performed, with more than three million surgeries performed each year. As the population becomes older, this number is expected to increase, and since some people prefer to have a cataract surgery a little sooner in their lives, thanks to technological improvements, increased vision improvement is now possible.
Murthy Simhambhatla from Abbott said in a press release: “Restoring or improving sight can make a huge impact on how people live their lives, which is why Abbott is continually investing in the research and development of advanced treatments to help people see their very best. We are pleased to offer the new TECNIS Multifocal IOLs for people with cataracts who want a full range of vision without having to wear eyeglasses, and who also want high-quality vision at a specific distance that is suited to their lifestyle.”
An IOL is a lens, an artificial one, that restore the vision after the cataract removal; it is placed in a person’s eye. The traditional monofocal IOLs is designed to reestablish the distance vision and multifocal IOLs can reestablish vision at multiple distances and even ceases the need to use glasses.
“The new lenses approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are known as TECNIS Multifocal +2.75D and +3.25D IOLs. Along with the available TECNIS Multifocal +4.0D IOL, all of the TECNIS Multifocal IOLs provide excellent vision at near, intermediate and far distances, while each “lens power” version provides enhanced vision at a distinct distance,” as described in the press release.
The TECNIS Multifocal +4.0D is appropriate for activities such as reading a book, the TECNIS Multifocal +3.25D IOL is appropriate for reading at longer distances like while holding a tablet, and the +2.75D IOL is appropriate for reading labels at the grocery store, for instance.
Dr. Kerry Assil explained: “My patients are extremely satisfied with the new TECNIS Multifocal lenses. Many of them are able to read easily, not only up close, but at intermediate distance as well, and in all lighting conditions. This improved vision following cataract surgery helps people live the active lives they want.”
The new lenses are FDA-approved based on a study that enrolled 445 people with cataracts, showing that over 80 percent did not need glasses at any distance, 93 percent said they would want to have the IOL implanted again: “patients had a mean visual acuity of 20/25 in both eyes at near distances (uncorrected, or without glasses or contact lenses), patients had a mean visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes at far distances (uncorrected) [and a] good vision was maintained in low lighting conditions.”
