New Alcon trifocal lens for astigmatism

The AcrySof IQ PanOptix Toric lens has already been introduced in Portugal, Spain and Chile, and is expected to become available in Australia during the third quarter of this year.According to parent company Novartis, this product will mean only a single lens is required to address the near, intermediate and distance vision needs of its users.A surgical procedure is needed to implant the lens, and potential users would be subject to a pre-evaluative assessment, history, and medical judgment from an eye surgeon.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: It gives patients the visual clarity and increased independence to improve their current lifestyles, -WHO:Mr Mike Ball, CEO and Division Head of Alcon}}Alcon CEO and division head Mr Mike Ball said the product would expand options for physicians treating patients with astigmatism.“It gives patients the visual clarity and increased independence to improve their current lifestyles,” he said.“For the surgeon, it also allows th to treat astigmatism at the same time as presbyopia with a trifocal that is part of the market-leading AcrySof platform.”The lens, developed for adults,is implanted in the capsular bag of the posterior chamber of the eye to correct aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism post cataract roval surgery.Dr Thomas Kohnen, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology for Goethe-University Frankfurt, said the new lens would improve patients’ quality of life.“It helps th get back to driving, reading books and using electronic devices without contacts or eyeglasses, with tolerable side effects in comparison with previous technologies,” Kohnen explained.According to Alcon, the AcrySof IQ PanOptix Toric is the only IOL that delivers an intermediate focal point at 60 cm, a distance they say is preferred by many patients for intermediate vision activities.Another feature is rotational and axial stability courtesy of their AcrySof single piece design.The product received its CE mark in Novber 2016.