EyeMax Mono IOL shows promise in patients with macular disease

Visual acuity improved in patients with geographic atrophy who underwent cataract surgery and implantation of a novel monofocal IOL in the capsular bag, according to a study.

Furthermore, the safety profile of the single-piece, injectable, hydrophobic acrylic EyeMax Mono IOL (LEH Pharma) was similar to that of standard IOLs, the study authors said.

“EyeMax Mono can be injected safely into the capsular bag of the eye, using simple well-established surgical techniques, as with other monofocal IOLs,” study author Scott J. Robbie, FRCOphth, PhD, told Healio.com/OSN. “The results from this study build on those from a large consecutive case series published last year, which suggest that visual acuity gains following EyeMax Mono implantation are greater than seen with standard cataract surgery and monofocal IOL implantation.”

In the interventional, non-comparative, prospective, single-center study, eight eyes of seven patients with bilateral macular degeneration underwent lens extraction and implantation of the EyeMax monofocal IOL.

Designed to extend macular vision, the EyeMax Mono’s lens optics are optimized to provide enhanced images across all areas of the macula extending 10° from the foveal center.

All patients had moderate to severe vision loss, and all chose targeted hypermetropic outcomes of 1.5 D to 4.5 D.

All eight eyes gained visual acuity, with mean corrected distance visual acuity improving from 0.93 logMAR to 0.59 logMAR 2 months postoperatively and mean corrected near visual acuity improving from 1.05 logMAR to 0.73 logMAR.

“Reading ability correlates well with levels of contrast sensitivity and fixation stability. Using microperimetry, we have been able to demonstrate that patients are able to adopt more suitable preferred retinal loci with better image stabilization after EyeMax Mono implantation, with consequent improvements in visual function,” Robbie said.

In addition, mean reading speed increased from 28 words per minute to 44 words per minute, and mean microperimetry threshold sensitivities increased from 8.2 dB to 12 dB. Fixation points within a 4° circle increased a mean percentage of 77% to 91%.

“We know there is long-standing concern within the ophthalmology community as we have not been able to offer our dry AMD patients any effective option,” Robbie said. “We believe the EyeMax Mono has the potential to change the treatment standard. Given the significant numbers of patients undergoing cataract surgery have some form of AMD, it’s vital that we have an IOL like EyeMax Mono that is tailored to meet their specific needs and maximize visual outcomes.” – by Rebecca L. Forand

Disclosures: The authors report they have a patent pending for the intraocular lens system.