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Macula add-on lens improves quality of life for patients with AMD
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VIENNA — A study assessing the quality of life of patients with age-related macular degeneration implanted with the Scharioth Macula Lens demonstrated significant improvement, particularly in patients with legal blindness vision loss.
“Professor Scharioth’s lens (SML, Medicontur) is an excellent new concept, overcoming the limitations, discomfort and stigma attached to extended low vision aids,” Niels Vesti Nielsen, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting. “It is a simple add-on IOL with bifocal design, with a central 1.5 mm optical zone of +10 D and optically neutral peripheral zone. It is easily implanted and explanted if needed.”
Twenty six of 92 patients implanted with the SML were included in the study.
After implantation of the lens, these patients had no change of distance vision, as expected. However, 35% or them achieved normal reading vision, with a gain of at least three lines.
Quality of life was assessed by Vision Function Questionnaire of 25 questions regarding general health, vision, difficulty with daily activities and individual responses to vision problems.
“An overall 28% improvement in quality of life rating was found. Surprisingly, the most improvement occurred among legal blind cases (48%) as compared with low vision cases (16%), and this occurred in the three areas of general heath, vision and daily activities. Near vision tasks, such as shopping and working in the kitchen, were again possible, and 70% of the legally blind patients significantly improved their response to vision problems,” Nielsen said.
Success with this lens, he pointed out, strongly depends on discussing expectations, on providing precise information and on patients’ compliance with a specific learning program.
“We have achieved this through team-working with our optometrists, who closely follow the patients and help them in the learning process,” he said. – by Michela Cimberle
Reference:
Nielsen NV, et al. Scharioth Macula Lens for AMD: Quality of life study. Presented at: European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting; Sept. 22-26, 2018; Vienna.
Disclosure: Nielsen reports no relevant financial disclosures.