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Technology Watch | Nov/Dec 2014

Implementing a New Trifocal Presbyopia- Correcting IOL

This practice experienced better results.

More and more, we are seeing patients request complete spectacle independence, and of equal frequency is the demand for intermediate vision. With the digital world evolving, patients now desire the ability to see their mobile devices at arm’s length as well as close up.

A few years ago, we decided to introduce a new trifocal presbyopia-correcting IOL into our practice, as patients were coming back mostly happy with their multifocal IOLs but still reporting a compromise in quality of vision, mainly at intermediate distance, as well as dysphotopsia phenomena. We discussed looking at a mix-and-match lens approach but ultimately determined that giving patients a larger range of vision with the AT LISA trifocal IOLs (Carl Zeiss Meditec; not available in the United States) was a better option. We started implanting these lenses in 2012 and have implanted 250 so far, including 25 of the toric version.

IOL SPECIFICATIONS

The AT LISA tri 839MP is a one-piece diffractive aspheric IOL made of a hydrophilic acrylic material with hydrophobic surface properties. It has an optic diameter of 6.0 mm and a total diameter of 11 mm.

The AT LISA tri 839MP has a +3.33 D near add (equivalent to 40 cm) and a +1.66 D intermediate add (equivalent to 80 cm). The lens comes preloaded in a dioptric range of 0.00 D to +32.00 D. The toric version, the AT LISA tri toric 939MP, is available in a range of powers for sphere (-10.00 D to +32.00 D) and cylinder (1.00 D to 12.00 D).

Designed for microincisional cataract surgery, the AT LISA tri 839MP can be implanted through a 1.8-mm incision. The lens has an 87% mean light transmission, which is higher than most multifocal IOLs, and the light distribution is 50% to distance, 20% to intermediate, and 30% to near.

PATIENT SELECTION AND CLINICAL PEARLS

Patient selection is considered to be the most important factor in the implantation of all types of multifocal IOLs. A compromise in quality of vision, especially under dim lighting conditions, is still part of the game.

In our trifocal IOL patients, we have seen a reduction in glare and halos at night compared with other multifocal lenses. Regardless, it is still part of our consent process to inform patients of these potential side effects, and frequent night drivers would not be considered ideal candidates. A good potential visual acuity in both eyes and stereopsis without other pending ocular pathologies are needed to achieve satisfactory results.

So far, we are very satisfied with the accuracy of our postoperative refractions, and our enhancement rate has been exceedingly low (around 5%). However, the option to perform refractive enhancements is still valuable and necessary in some cases.

In our experience, patients implanted with the AT LISA tri 839MP have achieved high spectacle independence for near, intermediate, and distance. Readers are usually only required for fine print or reading in dim lighting conditions.

With this IOL design, ophthalmic viscosurgical device removal can be a little tricky. However, we have found that, by rotating the IOL horizontally to the incision, we are able to easily go under the lens and remove all the ophthalmic viscosurgical device. The ability to rotate the IOL both ways is really advantageous.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of this new trifocal IOL into our practice has improved our results and increased patient satisfaction, especially in terms of improving intermediate vision and reducing night vision symptoms. Investing the chair time to select the appropriate candidates for this lens remains a priority.

Section Editor George O. Waring IV, MD, is the director of refractive surgery and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina. He is also the medical director of the Magill Vision Center in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Dr. Waring may be reached at waringg@musc.edu

Wolfgang Riha, MD, is a refractive surgeon at Sehkraft Augenzentrum in Berlin, Germany. He is a consultant to Carl Zeiss Meditec. Dr. Riha may be reached at riha@sehkraft.de .

  1. Breyer D. Introducing the trifocal AT LISA tri 839MP. Paper presented at: The 26th APACRS Annual Meeting; July 11-14, 2013; Singapore.
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