Multifocal IOL's for Laser Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves completely involving the cloudy natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens or IOL implant. Now, in most cases, patients who suffer from cataract may also suffer from other conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, astigmatism, and so on.
This means that in addition to imitating the function of the natural lens, it would be best if the lens implant could correct such conditions as well. Recently, an IOL was developed with what is called an extended range of vision. What this means is that with this new advanced technology lens implant, or IOL, patients have excellent visual acuity. The Tecnis Symfony IOL is so far the latest FDA approved IOL with an extended range of focus. Trial studies were conducted on a number of people and results revealed that not only did the IOLs improve near and intermediate vision for patients, but it also offered enhanced distant vision. Out of the total number of participants, nearly 85 percent reported that they had not been using glasses after getting the IOL implant.
What is the technology being used?
IOLs with an extended range of vision have a unique pattern when it comes to light diffraction. This particular IOL, unlike most lenses, has an elongated focus. Combined with the pattern of light diffraction, the elongated focus offers patients an excellent mid-range view. This is apt because, for most people, their lifestyle revolves around being able to perceive objects in the mid-range.
The Tecnis Symfony is developed using what is known as achromatic technology. Achromatic lenses are designed in such a way that they eliminate the effects of chromatic and spherical aberrations on vision. Spherical aberrations result in imperfections in the image perceived on the retina, and chromatic aberrations result in an inability of the lens to focus colors properly.Thus, the person with such an IOL would have a clear focus and visual clarity. The risks with the implantation of IOLs with an extended range of vision is the same as that with any other IOL.
IOLs with an extended range of vision are a godsend to a number of people who are heavily dependent on spectacles. While in some cases, an IOL with an extended field of view may not completely eliminate the need for glasses, patients can, to some extent reduce their dependency on spectacles. IOLs with extended focus have already emerged as a success in the clinical trials. Soon such IOLs will be used by surgeons everywhere to give patients a better quality of vision.
