Trifocal lens enhances 'intermediate' vision

18 Apr 2012

CZ Meditec's trifocal intraocular lens corrects aging eyes.

Medical technology manufacturer Carl Zeiss Meditec, based in Jena, Germany, has developed a novel trifocal intraocular lens called the ATLISA tri 839MP, which it says represents “the next generation” of multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).

The ATLISA lens is said to meet the demands of cataract and presbyopic patients who lead an active life and expect surgery to provide them with a quality of vision similar to that which they enjoyed before their eyes started showing signs of aging.

CZ Meditec says that with the ATLISA trifocal lens patients can switch almost naturally between near, intermediate and far distances without being troubled by corrective glasses. Dr. Wolfram Wehner, an ophthalmologist based in Nuremberg, Germany, commented, “There is no other IOL on the market that is as close to the natural accommodating process as the ATLISA trifocal.”

Dr. Ludwin Monz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec, said, “We would like to assist our customers in optimally addressing the challenges of surgical cataract and presbyopia correction. With the ATLISA lens patients are provided with the most natural post-operative vision possible without being reliant on eyeglasses.”

Technical performance

Based on CZ Meditec’s established AT LISA platform, the lens is designed to produce more satisfying and predictable visual outcomes to active patients and maximized pupil independency. It features an asymmetrical light distribution pattern between the three different foci, which are split 50 percent far, 20 percent intermediate, and 30 percent near.

Additionally the light energy transmittance is increased for a maintained contrast sensitivity rate and lower visual disturbance. “My patients have reported significantly less halos and glare with the ATLISA trifocal lens, even when directly questioned about these phenomena,” said Dr. Elisabeth Frieling-Reuss, an ophthalmologist in Munich.

CZ Meditec adds that the lens can provide enhanced intermediate vision performance with its addition of +1.66 diopters compared to apodized bifocal or convoluted trifocal IOLs, even under poor light conditions.

The lens is suitable for microincision cataract surgery (MICS) to avoid intra-operative-induced astigmatism and has been found to reduce higher order aberrations. The preloaded AT LISA tri 839MP combined with CZ Meditec’s Bluemixs 180 injector enables easy and safe implantation through an incision measuring 1.8 mm.

To maintain lasting visual quality and prevent posterior capsular opacification (PCO), AT LISA tri features an anti-PCO posterior profile. This reinforces the effect of the square edges for double prevention of PCO formation. The ATLISA tri 839MP is not available in the USA.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org