Latest Intraocular Lens (IOL) Technology
Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This new lens gives us the opportunity to correct any refractive error or need for glasses that eye may have. The refractive error may have been the eye being short sighted or long sighted but also astigmatism where the eye is more rugby ball shaped than soccer ball shaped. Treating this astigmatism greatly improves vision quality and it is the precise treatment of this astigmatism which has been the focus of much of my published research work. Being involved with IOL manufacturers and having an interest in research in this area allows me to access the latest in IOL technologies to be able to offer my patients the very best as well as being able to let them know when new advances are coming. The latest IOL released from Alcon, the Vivity IOL allows a range of vision without glasses and without side effects such as glare and halos. Just this week the low power toric version of this lens became available in Australia and I implanted by first of this extended range. This is a great step and will help a lot of patients see even better. When we can eliminate astigmatism in such a controlled manner, we can maximise the impact of this new technology to its full extent. The low full range of astigmatism correcting Vivity IOLs are now available.