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Light adjustable lens awaits clinical trials
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SAN FRANCISCO — A light-adjustable IOL has demonstrated biocompatibility in animal studies and is scheduled to begin human clinical trials soon, according to a presentation here. The light-adjustable material could potentially be used for a multifocal IOL or in an injectable form, said Daniel M. Schwartz, MD, here at VisionQuest 2002.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is a foldable IOL in which the optical power can be adjusted up to ±2 D noninvasively in the postoperative period using safe levels of light energy, said Dr. Schwartz, one of the lens' developers. Biocompatibility of the LAL in animal studies has been similar to currently approved silicone IOLs, he said.
The technology behind the lens, being commercially developed by Calhoun Vision, could be particularly useful in conjunction with wavefront imaging, he added.
“The problem with wavefront is once you put down a wavefront-based ablation, the human [corneal healing] response undoes much of the ablation. Our materials are inert. That enables us to take a wavefront analysis, put that wavefront analysis into a digital device and then put the digital image onto the lens. That would not be subject to the healing response,” Dr. Schwartz said.
An acrylic version of the lens is in development and scheduled to begin preliminary clinical trials this month, Dr. Schwartz said.