In its December 15 issue, Ophthalmology Times published a “year in review” feature, highlighting key developments in cataract surgery that took place in 2009.
Advances in cataract surgery technology in 2009 included:
Approval of femtosecond laser technology for cataract surgery
In September, the LenSx laser (LenSx Lasers, Inc., Aliso Viejo, Calif.) became the first femtosecond laser to gain FDA approval for a specific step in the cataract surgery procedure, eliminating the need for a bladed instrument for this step. Proponents say femtosecond laser technology (currently used primarily for LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures) could make a cataract operation even more safe and effective, reducing the risk of certain cataract surgery complications.
New multifocal IOLs
Two new multifocal IOLs were introduced to the U.S. market in 2009: the Tecnis Multifocal IOL (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, Calif.) and the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +3.0 D (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas). Both lenses are designed to help patients regain a fuller range of vision after cataract removal and reduce their need for reading glasses. According to preliminary studies, both lenses offer patients a higher degree of freedom from glasses than previous multifocal intraocular lenses.
Investigational IOLs
A number of companies were conducting clinical trials of new premium IOLs not yet approved for use in the United States. These include a “light-adjustable lens” (LAL) being developed by Calhoun Vision (Pasadena, Calif.). The power of this lens can be adjusted by exposing it to a specific wavelength of light 2 to 3 weeks after cataract surgery, depending on the patient’s visual needs.
Another premium IOL under study is an accommodating IOL called the NuLens (NuLens, Ltd., Herzeliya, Israel and Alicante, Spain). Preliminary studies suggest the NuLens can produce significantly greater near focusing power than currently available accommodating IOLs for even greater freedom from reading glasses after surgery.
SOURCE: 2009: A banner year in cataract surgery. Ophthalmology Times. December 15, 2009.
Tags: accommodating IOL, accommodative IOL, intraocular lenses, laser, multifocal IOLs