New Cataract Lens Approved

Posted by: Pepose Vision Institute in Cataracts on June 26, 2013

A new intraocular lens implant just approved by the FDA corrects astigmatism and dramatically improves vision across the board in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients have significantly improved near, intermediate and distance vision—often without having to resort to glasses. “And if glasses are worn, they are low-power readers, worn more for comfort than for need,” says Dr. Jay Pepose of Pepose Vision Institute.

Pepose served as medical monitor for a clinical study of the recently approved Trulign Toric intraocular lens implant (IOL). Trulign is the first toric IOL that corrects astigmatism and improves vision across the natural range of focus. (Toric lenses have two different curves to correct astigmatism.) Crystalens, a popular non-toric IOL, also improves vision but doesn’t correct astigmatism. Both lenses were compared in the clinical trial, and patients with astigmatism who received the Trulign lens did better.

“It’s revolutionary,” Pepose says. “It’s only been a few years since we’ve had any lens implant that corrects astigmatism. Now we have an IOL that corrects astigmatism and deals with age-related presbyopia (farsightedness), which occurs in every person over the age of 45.”