Comparing Four Full-Range Intraocular Lenses for Cataract Surgery

What is it about?

Typically after the age of 60, the natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy. This is called a cataract. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world, and they can be treated with a simple surgery, cataract surgery, which is the most common surgery in the world. This surgery involves removing the cloudy cataract and replacing it with an artificial Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL). Modern technology allows this surgery to be done in a few minutes through an incision so small it does not require any sutures. Patients often see well the day after surgery. Over the past 20 years there have been technological advances in the IOLs that allow patients to have a full range of vision from distance to near without the need for glasses after surgery. The different types of these newer IOLs are called multifocal IOLs, extended depth of focus IOLs, and trifocal IOLs. These all provide a full range of vision but are accompanied by some glare and halos around lights at night. This study compares four different models of these IOLs with regard to their ability to provide a full range of vision without glasses, and how often patients reported glare and halos. The findings were that all four models had similar rates of reported glare and halos. However two IOLs were better at providing good vision without the need for glasses, namely the Restor IOL (SN6AD1) and the Panoptix IOL (TFNT00). The IOL that had a significantly higher need for glasses after surgery was the Symfony IOL (ZXR00).

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Photo by Arteum.ro on Unsplash

Photo by Arteum.ro on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery in the world and these newer full range of vision intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) are becoming more common. Comparative studies like this can help guide patients and surgeons which of these IOLs provide the best range of vision without glasses.

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