Cataract News
Archive (2008)

New Version of Alcon AcrySof Cataract Lens Approved

HUENENBERG, Switzerland, December 2008 — Alcon Inc. has announced FDA approval of its newest version of the AcrySof IQ ReStor intraocular lens (IOL) that replaces the eye's natural lens during cataract surgery.

The IQ ReSTOR lens is considered a "premium" IOL that potentially can restore vision at all distances, unlike conventional lenses typically requiring reading glasses for near vision.

The newest version of the IQ ReSTOR has a +3.0 add power, which company officials say has increased by fourfold the number of people able to see 20/20 at near, intermediate and distance ranges. This compares with the earlier version of the ReStor, which has a +4.0 add power.

In clinical trials leading to approval, 95 percent of patients said they liked the lens and would have it implanted again if given a choice, according to Alcon.

Photochromic Cataract Lens in Development

IRVINE, Calif., November 2008 — Medennium plans to introduce a one-piece, aspheric version of the Aurium photochromic intraocular lens to Europe in late 2009, at which time it will seek FDA clearance for U.S. clinical trials.

The Aurium intraocular lens for cataract surgery acquires a yellow tint to protect eyes in sunlight, but automatically becomes clear in low light.

Used as an artificial lens (IOL) in cataract surgery, the Aurium is unique because it automatically acquires a yellow tint in sunlight to block harmful UV and blue light. But unlike other tinted cataract lenses, the Aurium IOL automatically becomes clear in low light.

Studies indicate that other IOLs with a fixed tint can help protect eyes from sun damage, but also reduce color vision and clarity in low lighting.

The Aurium takes about 10 seconds to acquire a yellow tint in sunlight and about 30 seconds to become colorless in low lighting.

In sunlight, the Aurium blocks about 50 percent of UV and blue light.

The current three-piece version of the Aurium photochromic IOL has been approved and is marketed in Europe, but not in the United States.

Two C-shaped extensions hold the lens in place.

Bausch & Lomb Launches Akreos AO Aspheric Lens

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., September 2008 — Bausch & Lomb officials say shipments should begin this month of the Akreos Advanced Optics Aspheric Lens (model AO60), which recently received FDA approval for cataract surgery.

The Akreos AO lens is designed as a foldable single piece, with four haptics or extensions that hold it in place in the eye. The lens is made of biocompatible acrylic material.

Surgeons who used the intraocular lens in clinical trials say it reduces visual aberrations, improves contrast sensitivity and allows easy insertion through small surgical incisions.

A special, single-use inserter (AI-28) is devised for use with the lens to help keep incisions smaller during cataract surgery.

Medicare Awards "New Technology" Designations to
Staar Surgical Cataract Lens

MONROVIA, Calif., August 2008 — Medicare recently awarded a "new technology" designation to two Staar Surgical intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery: the Afinity Collamer Aspheric Single Piece foldable lens and the Elastimide Silicone Aspheric foldable lens.

Medicare pays $50 extra per lens in reimbursements to encourage development and use of newer technology intraocular lenses. These types of lenses have proven, positive characteristics that set them apart from other lenses commonly used in cataract surgery.

The two Staar Surgical lenses received a "new technology" designation because of unique optical design features and ability to reduce a type of vision error known as spherical aberration that can cause focusing problems.

Resveratrol May Delay Cataract Progression

BALTIMORE, July 2008 — Resveratrol, a chemical found in grapes and red wine, has been shown in mouse studies to delay progression of cataracts, according to study results published in the July 3 issue of Cell Metabolism.

Researchers at the National Institute of Aging (National Institutes of Health) found evidence of numerous, seemingly unrelated potential benefits of resveratrol, including improved bone, heart and vascular health.

Resveratrol also is being studied in clinical trials as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, which can cause eye damage related to diabetic retinopathy.

Scientists found that resveratrol appears to stimulate activity of a specific beneficial protein, SIRT1, which improves cell function.

FDA Approves Newest Version of Crystalens for Cataract Surgery

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 2008 — The newest version of an artificial intraocular lens known as Crystalens HD (Bausch & Lomb) has received FDA approval for use in cataract surgery and other eye procedures.

The Crystalens HD is the only approved accommodating IOL on the U.S. market, meaning that the lens moves within the eye to provide a wider range of focusing ability similar to the action of the eye's natural lens. Company officials say an optical design modification further improves focusing ability of the Crystalens HD.

When a cataract forms, the eye's natural lens grows cloudy. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial IOL.

Crystalens is one of only three presbyopia-correcting IOLs available in the United States with the ability to provide simultaneous near, intermediate and distance vision. The other two presbyopia-correcting IOLs, ReZoom (Abbott Medical Optics) and IQ ReSTOR (Alcon), are multifocal lenses with different zones for providing vision at varying distances.

Shipments of the new generation Crystalens HD were expected to begin July 7.

Protein Fragments Linked to Development of Cataracts

BETHESDA, Md., March 2008 — Protein fragments found in the eye's natural lens contribute to development of cloudy vision resulting from cataracts commonly found in older people, according to an article in the March issue of Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Researchers say the highly ordered structure of these proteins (called crystallins) normally allows transmission of light and resulting clear vision.

Normally, the eye's natural lens provides clear transmission of light. But cataracts clouding the lens cause unclear vision.

But when crystallins begin to break down as part of the aging process, light becomes scattered.

Cataracts result when tiny, abnormal protein fragments bind to and disrupt function of normally shaped crystallin proteins.

Researchers believe these abnormal fragments are left over when other proteins attempt to "chew up" and remove damaged crystallin proteins in the eye.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Help Prevent Cataracts

BOSTON, January 2008 — Yellow plant pigments known as lutein and zeaxanthin may help protect eyes against cataract formation, according to a report published in the January issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

Scientists at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School examined dietary information provided by 35,551 female health workers who originally enrolled in 1993 in the Women's Health Study. Dietary and other health factors involving participants were analyzed for an average 10-year period. Of this study group, 2,031 developed cataracts.

Investigators concluded that women with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were 18 percent less likely to develop cataracts. Scientists also found that women with the highest intake of vitamin E were 14 percent less likely to develop cataracts.

Lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E are all antioxidants, which help protect against molecules (free radicals) that destroy cells in the eyes and other parts of the body.