Clamshell dynamically accommodating IOL ‘tremendous’ refractive tool

SAN FRANCISCO — An IOL described as “clamshell dynamically accommodating” may be an “excellent” device for clear lens extraction, said Keiki R. Mehta, MD. He said the lens is capable of correcting high myopia and high hyperopia while retaining accommodation.

Dr. Mehta said the lens provided a reduction in refraction-corrective dependency, and that the lens should be implanted through a clear corneal incision. He shared his results from 214 implantations here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

“Most of the patients are 20/30 or better and they are very happy with the fact that they have no need for glasses,” he said.

At 42 months, the mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from 6/36 to 6/9 at distance and from J7 to J1 at near. In 87% of the cases, best corrected visual acuity was 6/6; J1 was obtained in 74% of the patients, Dr. Mehta said. IOP ranged from 14.6 mm Hg to 17.5 mm Hg. The mean postoperative accommodating index was +2.5 D. Dr. Mehta said there were no complications noted.

Dr. Mehta said the lens can be injected through a standard 2.8 mm incision. Even with lateral compression, he said, once locked the lens plates do not separate. It is unlikely to lead to fibrosis, he said.

“The lenses fit in smoothly and once the two rings are fit together, they don’t separate,” he said. “You simply fold it and inject it.”

He said the key to the implanting the lens is getting it inside the bag.

“It’s a great system,” he said. “We do believe this is the lens of the future.”