Welcome to the Cornea by Kane blog, your trusted source for an honest opinion about your eyes.
It is hard to believe it has been a few years since our first blog post about the amazing advances in cataract surgery lens implants. Well, it is time to update you with all that has happened and share my opinion on the best cataract surgery lens implants for 2023! So much has happened in the past 2 years, that I just had write a new post about it.
So here are my favorite cataract surgery lens implants and some information about how they work. To learn more about how lens implants work and who is a good candidate for different lenses, please see my previous article on best cataract surgery lens implants of 2021 by clicking here.
Top 3 advances in cataract surgery lens implants:
Light Adjustable Lens Implant – RxSight
The light adjustable lens (LAL) is an entirely new category of lens implant! There is no other lens like the LAL in the world and there are a lot of reasons to be excited about it. What makes the light adjustable lens so special? It is the first time the power of the lens can be adjusted AFTER surgery. Currently, all other lens implants are fixed in power. That means the power of the lens (and your vision) is set at the time of surgery and can’t be changed without more surgery.
The light adjustable lens is tailored to you by using ultraviolet light to reshape the lens after you recover from surgery. Since adjustments are made with a light delivery device, they are painless and can be done in the office.
Why does adjustability matter?
While modern lens implant formulas are very accurate, they can still be wrong. This can happen for many reasons and is more common in patients who have had LASIK or radial keratotomy (RK). Inaccurate lens power can also happen in very nearsighted and farsighted patients too.
It is also possible that the lens implant may heal or settle in a position microscopically different then was expected. This final lens position can have a big impact on your final vision and whether or not you need to wear glasses all the time. With the ability to adjust the lens power after surgery, the LAL is the most accurate and most customizable lens implant available today.
Below is a diagram of how the lens works. The ultraviolet light is used to stimulate the particles in the lens causing the lens to change shape and power.
For more information about the light adjustable lens implant visit the RxSight website by clicking here.
IC-8 Apthera – Bausch and Lomb
The IC-8 Apthera is another first in class technology. It is the worlds first small aperture lens implant. The lens implant has a filter that blocks out stray light except for a small opening in the center. The opening in the lens is 1.36mm. The optics work by “pin hole” effect which uses the small opening to block all stray light. Only the straight central rays of light reach the retina.
What does this mean for you? You get high quality vision with a true range of vision. Other range of vision lenses sacrifice the quality of the image to achieve a range. Apthera does the opposite. By blocking light scatter, the small opening in the lens enhances image quality while still providing a range of vision.
How does Apthera compare to monovision?
Apthera is implanted in your non-dominant eye to give you a blended range of vision. Since it is a range of vision lens implant, it is a significant improvement over traditional monovision. In traditional monovision, your dominant eye is set for distance and the to other eye for reading vision. This is a direct trade of distance vision for near vision in the up close eye. With Apthera, the reading eye keeps more of its distance vision.
If you currently enjoy monovision or if you want a range of vision without losing image quality, Apthera can offer a significant upgrade. Like any premium lens implant, Apthera is not for everyone. It is best for patients with less than 1.5 diopters of astigmatism and who do not have a history of retinal disease.
For more information about Apthera from Bausch and Lomb click here.
Panoptix with Clareon – Alcon
Something old becomes something new! For the past few years, Panoptix has been an excellent range of vision lens implant. It uses light splitting technology to give a wide range of vision. It is a trifocal lens because it can focus light at 3 distances (far away, computers, and up close.) Recently, Alcon upgraded the lens implant material by adding Clareon.
While this lens has been performing well, older versions of the lens implant occasionally formed glistenings. Glistenings are microscopic defects or changes in the lens implant. To be fair, it was hotly debated whether glistenings had any impact on the vision. Regardless, Alcon has fixed the problem by adding Clareon to the implant material.
Clareon Panoptix is my favorite trifocal lens implant to date because it has extremely high patient satisfaction. I think patients really like this trifocal lens over others because of the optics. Panoptix has a high amount of light transmission with 88% of light reaching the retina. It also splits the light in a way that gives 50% for distance, 25% for computers, and 25% for up close. In my opinion, these are the reasons patients report such high satisfaction with Panoptix.
For more information about Clareon Panoptix by Alcon you may click here.
Which is the Best Lens Implant for Me?
As I mentioned before, there is no such thing as the perfect lens for everyone. The decision on which lens is right for you should be based on guidance from your ophthalmologist (eye surgeon). At Tailored Eyes, we offer the latest cataract surgery technology and lens implants. We take the time to understand your vision needs and your goals after surgery to help you make the right decision.
In summary, here are some general thoughts to consider based solely on my humble opinions.
The light adjustable lens implant is great for patients who want the highest quality vision with the most accurate outcome possible. If you are “type A,” have had refractive surgery such as LASIK or RK, or just want the highest quality vision without glasses, then consider the light adjustable lens implant.
The IC-8 Apthera is great for patients interested in a range of vision or monovision who want to enhance their distance too. Since, the Apthera lens doesn’t split light, it is a great option for patients who want a range of vision but are concerned about the quality of vision with a trifocal lens.
The Clareon Panoptix is a great lens for patients who want to avoid glasses and readers. This lens is ideal for patients who really value a full range of vision and don’t mind trading a little optical quality to do so. If the most important thing to you is having a full range of vision and freedom from reading glasses, then the Panoptix lens could be a great choice.
Tips for Success in Selecting Your Implant
—See your ophthalmologist for a cataract consult and make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon
—Share your favorite activities with your eye surgeon
—Think about how important freedom from readers and glasses is to you
—Cataract surgery is only done once, so make sure you select the lens best for your vision needs the first time
—For more information on Cataract Surgery Advanced Technology and Lens Implants click here
—For More information on what a Cataract is click here
Summary
It is a very exciting time to have cataract surgery. The advanced technologies and the excellent safety profile makes cataract surgery a terrific way to improve your vision and your quality of life. Make sure you feel comfortable with your eye surgeon and take your time so that you select the procedure and lens implant best suited for your vision needs.
I’m Dr. Kane, and that’s my take on it.
At Tailored Eyes, we perform a thorough evaluation of your eyes and formulate a customized treatment plan to meet your vision needs.
Call the office to book an appointment at 941-499-1570 or email us at info@tailoredeyes.com.
Steven Kane, MD, FAAO is a Cataract, Cornea, and Refractive Surgery specialist with Tailored Eyes in Sarasota county Florida. He proudly serves the people of Venice, South Venice, Sarasota, Plantation, Osprey, Nokomis, Laurel, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria, Palmetto, Ellenton, St. Petersburg, Englewood, North Port, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, Manasota Key, Arcadia, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.