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New phakic IOL offers solution for myopic presbyopes
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LISBON, Portugal — A phakic posterior chamber IOL for presbyopia, now produced in Europe, shows favorable outcomes and offers a unique option to myopic presbyopes, according to one surgeon.
“The EyePCL (EyeOL UK) is a true revolution. Companies have been trying for a long time to develop a phakic lens for presbyopia, and now we have it. It can be implanted through a 1.8-mm microincision, is available in a wide range of powers, up to –20 D, and includes the toric option,” Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
At first, Stodulka thought that it could be a solution also for presbyopic emmetropes, but eventually came to the conclusion that any kind of intraocular surgery is too risky for people who only need reading glasses.
“We do not advocate any kind of intraocular surgery for this group,” he said.
For hyperopic presbyopes, his first choice is refractive lens exchange, while the EyePCL is best indicated for myopic presbyopes.
“We also created a new indication group, the pre-presbyopic myopes, aged 35 to 40. If we implant them with the ordinary phakic IOL, 5 years down the road they will need reading glasses. This option allows them to stay spectacle independent. The brain will not use the near focus zone until it is needed,” he said.
The diffractive pattern of this lens produces some glare and halos, but patients are significantly less affected by it as compared with trifocal technology, Stodulka said.
“The natural lens probably filters out these ghost phenomena, so they tolerate this diffractive pattern much better,” he said. – by Michela Cimberle
Reference:
Stodulka P. A new phakic IOL. Presented at European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeon meeting; Oct. 7-11, 2017; Lisbon, Portugal.
Disclosure: Stodulka reports no relevant financial disclosures.