What’s different about the state-of-the-art Alcon Acrysof® IQ PanOptix® lenses?
Alcon PanOptix San Diego
The eye’s natural lens is able to change shape in order to change focal distance, which allows you to go from looking at the horizon to looking at a book relatively quickly. However, the natural lens can become cloudy over time, as part of the aging process. This is known as a cataract. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced an artificial one, which is called an intraocular lens (IOL).
With a basic IOL (also known as a monofocal IOL), the artificial lens is not able to change shape, but instead has just one focal distance. This is generally set for distance vision. The patient will then need reading glasses in order to see up close.
Many people would prefer not to need reading glasses after their cataract surgery. Fortunately, modern technology has created solutions to this problem. There are a number of options for premium IOLs, which use various engineering techniques in order to allow patients to have good vision both up close and at distance after their surgery. One of the latest developments is the Alcon PanOptix lens. This new lens technology was approved by the FDA in August 2019. It has since been successfully used in thousands of patients, with studies showing good outcomes for most patients.
What technology is used in PanOptix?
The PanOptix is a trifocal lens. This means that, instead of having a single discrete focal point, it has three separate focal points. These are set for distance, intermediate, and near vision. Distance vision is used for activities like driving, intermediate vision for working on a computer, and near vision for reading a book.
With previous generations of multifocal lenses, there were often two focal points, one for distance and one for near vision. However, visual acuity was often not very good in between them. This meant that many patients still needed glasses for intermediate tasks, even if they didn’t need them for distance or near tasks. This could be frustrating for many people. When creating PanOptix, engineers were able to fill in this gap, creating good vision at all three distances.
There are two different forms of the PanOptix lens. The standard one works well for most people. For those who have astigmatism (which is a condition in which the cornea is oval-shaped instead of round), there is also a toric version of the PanOptix, which can correct for this condition.
What are patient outcomes like with PanOptix?
A number of different studies have been conducted on the PanOptix trifocal lens. Overall, it has shown good outcomes. In one study, 83% of patients reported never needing glasses for any activity after implantation.
Certain visual artifacts, including glare and halos around bright lights, are somewhat more common with the PanOptix than with other types of lenses. These are still only experienced by a small minority of patients, but the possibility is somewhat increased with PanOptix.
The lens has three separate focal points. With your eye’s natural lens, there is a single focal point at a time, and so this is what your brain’s visual system is adapted to. It takes time for the brain to learn to handle the three separate focal points. For the first few weeks after getting the lens implanted, patients may find it a little uncomfortable. However, over time, the brain will learn to switch seamlessly between the different focal points. Most patients then find that they no longer have discomfort with the lens.
Is PanOptix right for you? Alcon PanOptix San Diego
When it comes to choosing an IOL, you have several different options. You can go with the basic monofocal IOL and simply use reading glasses for the rest of your life. This is the least expensive option, and some patients don’t mind reading glasses. If you want to avoid reading glasses, you could choose a multifocal IOL like the PanOptix, or a slightly different type called an extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens, such as the Alcon Vivity. We offer both of these premium IOLs here in our office.
If you or a loved one is in need of cataract surgery, we invite you to come in for a consultation in order to discuss your options. You’ll have a chance to ask all of your questions and learn about the pros and cons of each option from one of our specialist eye surgeons. After an eye exam and a discussion of your goals for your vision, you’ll get professional recommendations about what option would be most likely to meet your needs. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment.
