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New millennium has been a turning point for multifocal IOLs
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BERLIN — The beginning of the new millennium has been a crucial turning point for multifocal IOLs, a surgeon said here.
Since the 1980s, the concept has evolved and the focus is now on optics evolution, Manfred Tetz, MD, said during the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
"Different refractive and diffractive models have been developed, with variable zone positioning, number and sizes," he pointed out. "Today's patient needs are creating many challenging tasks for us, but this evolution is taking place. Our eyes are ready for multifocal IOLs, but we must still work on technical details."
Traditionally, companies have aimed to achieve the higher possible near add, but the challenge in recent years has been that of achieving better intermediate vision, he noted.
Some companies are trying to combine near addition with accommodating mechanisms, with asphericity and a toric component.
Nowadays, multifocal lenses are implanted in an increasing number of young patients through RLE procedures, and these patients ask for quality. Devices like the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec) help achieve target refraction better, and additional laser enhancements can be performed.
Dr. Tetz emphasized the importance of working to eliminate PCO, "because RLE patients will not easily accept secondary cataract," he pointed out.