Alcon’s trifocal IOL makes U.S. debut

The first trifocal IOL to gain Food and Drug Administration approval is now available in the United States. Alcon’s AcrySof IQ PanOptix lens reduces the need for glasses after cataract surgery by offering a combination of near, intermediate and distance vision.

“Our goal is to ensure optimal outcomes for cataract patients looking to correct their vision at all distances, with the vast majority of them never needing to wear glasses post-surgery,” said David J. Endicott, Chief Executive Officer of Alcon.

Already approved in more than 70 countries, PanOptix uses a proprietary design to optimize intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision. The lens is available in spherical and toric designs.

The recent U.S. approval is based on a large multicenter study that demonstrated “exceptional, uninterrupted vision” along with a high patient satisfaction. More than 99% of PanOptix patients said they would choose the same lens again, the company reported.

“This level of satisfaction speaks volumes to the perceived benefits from the fuller range of vision,” says Elizabeth Yeu-Lin, MD, medical director of the Virginia Surgery Center and an investigator in the clinical trial. “As a refractive cataract surgeon who has a healthy respect for the benefits and limitations of presbyopia-correcting IOLs, I’m hopeful and excited about the FDA approval of the Alcon PanOptix Trifocal.”

Alcon plans to train U.S. ophthalmologists in the use of PanOptix and PanOptix Toric IOLs later this year. The company aims to launch a dedicated PanOptix website and multimedia awareness campaign as well. Special launch activities are slated for AAO 2019, the Academy’s annual meeting in San Francisco, later this year.