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Cataract surgeries have been performed for centuries, but the most significant and rapid innovation in surgery advancements has occurred in the past 20 years[1] with Alcon at the helm.
Modern cataract surgery uses state-of-the-art technology at every step – from diagnostics and surgical instruments for delicate incisions to novel intraocular lens (IOL ) materials – all to provide patients with the best possible outcomes.
“Every year there’s something new and exciting in cataract surgery innovation,” says ophthalmologist Dr. Kathy Cao. “When I was training, most of the lenses I use now weren’t available. Over the years, there have been improvements in the actual material of IOLs, multifocal technology and how the surgery is done.”
More lens options to provide patients with exceptional clarity
Traditionally during cataract surgery, a monofocal lens is selected for patients. This allows them to see clearly at one – typically far – distance, but they generally need glasses to see clearly at all distances. Recent innovations in the precision edge design and material of monofocal IOLs, like the Clareon® monofocal IOL, have exceptional clarity while reducing visual disturbances.[2],[3] Advancements such as toric lenses can also correct astigmatism for the 71 per cent of cataract patients that are clinically appropriate for toric IOLs.[4] Most recently launched is the Clareon® Toric lens, which gives patients even more vision options.
“Toric monofocals open up more options for more patients,” says Dr. Cao. “I think that in this day and age, where patients want better vision after cataract surgery, correcting their astigmatism is key.”
Extending vision for patients
In recent years, new categories of multifocal intraocular lenses have been introduced that allow a surgeon to correct presbyopia as well as cataracts. More patients are choosing presbyopia-correcting IOL (PCIOL) lens options over traditional monofocal IOLs.[5] These revolutionary lenses allow patients to see clearly at multiple distances with less dependence on glasses.[6]
“A lot of people don’t realize how much of our everyday activity is done at an arm’s length,” says Dr. Cao. “If you choose a monofocal lens for distance so you can drive without glasses, the dashboard area in your intermediate vision will be blurry.”
Extended vision lenses, like the AcrySof® IQ Vivity® and Vivity® Toric lenses, provide an extended range of vision for distant and intermediate tasks, like driving or reading a smartphone, and offer functional near vision for tasks, like reading a menu or putting on makeup, with less reliance on glasses.6
“Some people may need reading glasses when reading the fine print on a label, but extended range of vision lenses can provide a lot of freedom from wearing glasses every day,” explains Dr. Cao.
For those who want to see without glasses after surgery, that’s also a possibility. Trifocal lenses, like AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® and PanOptix® Toric provide clear vision at all distances. The PanOptix® IOL is designed to allow patients to perform daily activities such as reading a book or ordering from a menu without the need for glasses.6 This trifocal lens provides the ability to see clearly at 60 cm, the preferred distance for tasks like as working at a computer or reading from a tablet.
“The landscape of cataract surgery has changed dramatically in the past few years,” says Dr. Cao. “It’s important that patients and doctors work together to find their best lens option. Cataract surgery happens one time in your life – you want to make the right choice.”
Talk to your doctor to see if these intraocular lenses are right for you.
[1] Davis, G. (2016, February). The Evolution of Cataract Surgery. Missouri Medicine, 113(1), 58-62. Retrieved September 21, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139750/
[2] Werner, L., et al. (2019). Evaluation of clarity characteristics in a new hydrophobic acrylic IOL in comparison to commercially available IOLs. Journal of cataract and refractive surgery, 45(10), 1490–1497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.05.017
[3] Nuijts, et al. (2017) Clareon IOL: A New Monofocal Platform. The Ophthalmologist. (Suppl.). https://theophthalmologist.com/fileadmin/top/issues/1217/images/1217-900_Alcon_SS-new.pdf
[4] Hill Distribution Data. Provided courtesy of Dr. Warren Hill. http://www.doctor-hill.com/iol-main/astigmatism_chart.html. Accessed January 06, 2017.
[5] AcrySof® IQ Vivity® Extended Vision IOL Directions for Use.
[6] AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Directions for Use.
