effects," she says.
Implanting toric IOLs for astigmatism correction is a "no-brainer,"
says Dr. Galor, because patients with astigmatisms are motivated to
get the best possible vision outcomes, at least in one focus plane at
distance. She adds that the ideal lens implant would restore lens func-
tion by providing good clarity and accommodation, even in eyes with
other pathology. "We're not there yet, but there are many companies
working on that type of technology," she adds.
One of the more exciting developments in lens offerings occurred in
July 2016 when the FDA approved the presbyopia-correcting Tecnis
Symfony IOL. The lens is designed to provide patients with extended
depth of focus, which is said to improve visual acuity at close, inter-
mediate and far ranges, and thereby reduce the need for patients to
wear contact lenses or glasses after surgery.
The Symfony lens doesn't get patients all the way to J1 plus in read-
ing, but it does provide accommodation without aberration, says Dr.
Galor. It also provides more precision for astigmatism management,
adds Dr. Whitsett. "We haven't yet had an extended range of focus lens
that has a toric component," he says. "The ability to manage patients'
astigmatisms while at the same time improving their distance, immedi-
ate and near vision is a huge clinical benefit."
Dr. Krueger says trifocal lenses are impressing surgeons on the
international market and the Symfony lens is getting a great deal of
uptake stateside since being approved, because it provides patients
with a greater range of vision. He adds, "Ultimately, if we can get to
having a lens that truly does accommodate or gets as close to accom-
modation as an actual lens, we'll see implants be even more widely
accepted."
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