IOL Roundup
Nothing can stop the technology train—not even the ongoing pandemic—and that sentiment is especially true when we look at the technology of IOLs, which continues to advance and grow. That’s a good thing, as cataracts are a leading causes of blindness worldwide.1 More than 90% of people will develop cataracts by age 65, and half of those between ages 75 and 85 will have lost some vision due to a cataract.2 Following is a brief overview of some of the newest IOLs on the US market—and some not quite here yet (also see Table). [Note: The listing is in alphabetical order by IOL name. Any products not mentioned were excluded unintentionally.]
ACRYSOF IQ VIVITY
The FDA in February approved the AcrySof IQ Vivity Extended Vision IOL (Alcon), along with toric, UV-absorbing, and toric UV-absorbing versions of the lens.3 The AcrySof IQ Vivity became commercially available in selected European markets in March.4 In a news release, the company announced that it plans to focus on the ongoing launch of its AcrySof PanOptix Trifocal IOL in the United States and launch Vivity as a complementary lens in more markets throughout this year.4
ACRYSOF PANOPTIX TRIFOCAL
The AcrySof PanOptix Trifocal IOL (Alcon) was approved by the FDA and launched in the United States in August.5 The PanOptix is the only trifocal lens available in the United States for patients undergoing cataract surgery. Bobby Saenz, OD, MS, FAAO, and Thomas Nettleton, OD, wrote about this new IOL in the September issue of MOD. Visit bit.ly/MODseptPanOptix to read about how it changed their approach to cataract surgery.
bit.ly/AlconIOLs
ENVISTA TORIC
The enVista toric IOL (Bausch + Lomb) is an aspheric, aberration-free, biconvex, posterior-surface toric, one-piece hydrophobic acrylic lens indicated for primary implantation in the capsular bag of the eye in adults for the visual correction of aphakia with corneal astigmatism following removal of a cataractous lens for improved distance vision. www.bausch.com/our-products/surgical-products/cataract-surgery/envista-toric-iol
The enVista toric IOL.
FINE VISION TRIUMF IOL
BVI, through its PhysIOL subsidiary, in September launched the FineVision Triumf EDOF trifocal presbyopia-correcting IOL, indicated for implantation in patients undergoing cataract surgery.6 According to the company, the lens combines trifocal technology with elongated depth of focus (EDOF) presbyopia-correcting optics to reduce chromatic aberrations, glare, and halos.7www.physiol.eu/en-US/Products/Intraocular-lenses
IC-8
The IC-8 small aperture IOL (AcuFocus) is a clear, aspheric monofocal lens with an embedded pinhole in the center. This lens uses small-aperture technology to increase a patient’s natural range of vision by protecting central organized light rays that enter the eye and restricting peripheral light rays that degrade image quality and range of focus, according to the company. Studies show that the IC-8 lens is highly effective when implanted in one eye only.8
The IC-8 small aperture IOL.
In July, AcuFocus announced an extended diopter range for the IC-8, from +10.00 D to +30.00 D (in 0.50 D steps).9 The IC-8 IOL is not approved for use in the United States.
www.acufocus.com/us
INTENSITY
The Intensity IOL (Hanita Lenses) is a presbyopia-correcting IOL that was developed with the help of a proprietary iterative algorithm called Dynamic Light Utilization technology for better light efficiency. The company says the profile of the lens enables continuous, uninterrupted vision throughout the entire vision range. The profile of the Intensity IOL includes 12 smooth steps and a central ring 1 mm in diameter. Step heights vary along the lens radius, with a maximum step height of 3.6 µm. The Intensity has the CE Mark and is commercially available in Europe. www.hanitalenses.com
JUVENE
The Juvene Intraocular Lens (LensGen) is an investigational device designed to address both presbyopia and astigmatism. The IOL was first implanted in pilot studies in 2015 and is not available for use or sale in the United States, although the company says it expects the lens to be commercialized by 2023. lensgen.com
light adjustable lens
The Light Adjustable Lens (RxLAL, RxSight) is a three-piece lens that features a biconvex optic composed of photoreactive UV light-absorbing silicone that allows postoperative adjustment of IOL power with the Light Delivery Device (LDD; RxSight). Learn more about the lens from Kayla L. Karpuk, OD, and William F. Wiley, MD, in an article they wrote in Collaborative EYE:bit.ly/CEsept19LAL.
SBL-3
The SBL-3 Segmented Bifocal Lens (Lenstec) is a presbyopic IOL intended to provide superior high-definition vision. According to the company, the SBL-3 is an asymmetric segmented multifocal IOL designed to improve contrast sensitivity, minimize halos and glare, and provide superior near, intermediate, and distance vision compared with other presbyopic IOLs. Lenstec in March submitted data on the SBL-3 to the FDA for premarket approval in the United States. www.lenstec.com
The SBL-3 Segmented Bifocal Lens.
TECNIS SYMFONY PLUS
Modeled after the Tecnis Symfony (Johnson & Johnson Vision), the Tecnis Symfony Plus extended range of vision one-piece IOL offers stronger near vision by about 1 line of near visual acuity and incorporates a violet-light–blocking chromophore intended to compress chromatic aberration, which could reduce dysphotopsia, improve contrast acuity, and provide further retinal protection.10 The Tecnis Symfony Plus received FDA approval in May.
The Tecnis Symfony Plus IOL.
TECNIS SYNERGY IOL
Johnson & Johnson Vision introduced the one-piece Tecnis Synergy IOL in Europe in September 2019.11 The Tecnis Synergy is a presbyopia-correcting IOL that allows patients to experience continuous high-contrast vision from far through near, even in low-light conditions, according to the company. The Tecnis Synergy IOL is commercially available across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany. It is also available in Australia and New Zealand. It is not available in the United States.
TECNIS TORIC II
The Tecnis Toric II 1-Piece IOL (Johnson & Johnson Vision) was approved by the FDA and launched in the United States in December 2019. It is the first product approved on the new Tecnis Toric II platform, which, according to the company, offers more surface texture and friction on the IOL haptics in order to hold the IOL in proper position within the eye. www.jnjvisionpro.com
XACT MONO-EDOF
Santen in September 2019 announced the European launch of its novel monofocal hydrophobic IOL, the xact Mono-EDoF.12 According to Santen, the xact Mono-EDoF with its four diffractive rings provides excellent visual acuity at far distances as expected from a typical monofocal IOL, while also offering functional visual acuity at intermediate distances. Its novel continuous range of focus optical design results in no significant visual side effects, with performance similar to that of typical monofocal IOLs. www.santen.eu/our-scientific-focus/technologies
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Ours is an intelligent, technologically advanced society. Gone are the days of having only a handful of IOL options from which to choose. For medically minded optometrists in today’s progressive health care culture, when it’s increasingly necessary for health care providers to collaborate in the care of their patients, it’s important to know what vision correction options are available to your patients so that you can better guide them in making the best decisions for their care. We hope this overview of IOL technologies helps you to do just that.
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