Intraocular Lenses

Alcon Inc., reported updated clinical results on a new intraocular lens (IOL) that demonstrate its ability to substantially restore a cataract patient's ability to see both near and distant objects without the aid of reading glasses or bifocals. Today, the vast majority of patients who undergo cataract surgery receive monofocal IOLs, which typically require them to carry around reading glasses so they can read a newspaper, menu or medicine bottle, or do other things that require close vision such as sewing, building models and playing cards.

"This data is extremely promising, considering our nation's dependence on reading glasses and bifocals to see near objects in general and especially following cataract surgery," said James A. Davison, MD, FACS, an investigator in the study,who presented the phase study data at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual symposium.  Dr. Davison added, "I believe this lens will greatly improve quality of life for the vast majority of patients who receive it by eliminating or greatly reducing their dependence on reading glasses after surgery."

The IOL represents breakthrough technology because it delivers consistent high-quality pseudo-accommodative vision across the entire visual spectrum due to the unique, proprietary and innovative optics of the lens, rather than relying on unpredictable and variable mechanical processes to achieve accommodation. This lens achieved CE mark status April 4, 2003 is currently being implanted in patients outside the The pre-market approval application.  This application has been submitted to the FDA and Alcon, who anticipates this technology will be available in the U.S. this year, 2005.