Trifocal lenses arrive to correct cataracts and recover vision for all distances without glasses

Updated Saturday, March 9, 2024-02:20

Gonzalo Bernabéu

, director of HM Eye Center, the specialized eye health center of HM Hospitales, and head of the Ophthalmology Service of the HM Montepríncipe, HM Rivas and HM Vallés University Hospitals, has been the ophthalmological surgeon chosen and in charge of the

World presentation

of a

new trifocal lens for the treatment of cataracts

.

The implantation was carried out live at the last

FacoElche

, one of the most important Spanish congresses on live ophthalmological interventions in the world, and served as a presentation of the new lens, the AT ELANA 841P trifocal from

Zeiss

, to the ophthalmological community. through a surgery followed live by more than 1,300 professionals from Spain, Europe and Latin America.

Cataract

extraction

is a surgical process that involves the removal of the natural lens and its replacement with an intraocular lens.

This lens has the function of returning the best possible vision to the patient and, in addition, allows glasses to be eliminated in certain cases.

Within these intraocular lenses, those that provide the greatest satisfaction and independence from glasses are trifocal lenses, since they allow viewing at

all distances without the need for glasses.

Regarding the advantages, for the surgeon and for the patient, that the incorporation of trifocal lenses offers in the approach to cataracts, Bernabéu, one of the greatest specialists in the incorporation of optical technology, indicates to this medium that trifocal lenses, multifocal diffractive lenses, represent "the

greatest advance in the optical development

of intraocular lenses allowing, as long as the eye is suitable for this type of implant, a life independent of glasses for practically everything. The support of glasses would be necessary only for tasks of precision or very small print.

His more than 10 years of experience in implants of this type of lens, with more than 3,000 patients operated on with multifocal lenses, demonstrate that "as long as the

choice of the case is correct

, they allow a great quality of life and satisfaction for the person." in which this intervention is carried out".

APPROPRIATE INDICATION, ESSENTIAL

The new AT Elana 841 lens - which is incorporated into the Ophthalmology Service of HM Hospitales - represents "a new advance in the quality of the lens material, together with a design that seeks to

minimize undesirable photic effects (halo)

," he points out. the professional who also highlights "the highest visual quality in this type of lenses with the least loss of contrast sensitivity and best visual acuity of all the trifocal lenses on the market."

This lens is now available for regular use, with

Spain

being the country chosen for its worldwide launch due to the "high experience we have in this type of implants and the

high level of excellence

that has always positioned our country as one of the leaders in the practice of Ophthalmology worldwide".

However, and despite all the advantages it offers, Bernabéu clarifies that

not all patients with cataracts are candidates for the implantation of this type of lenses, which is why a

personalized study

of each case is required

, since "the key to "Success is to analyze the patient's eye well; study the cornea well - that it is healthy, without irregularities or a high rate of aberrations - as well as a complete study of the vitreous, retina and optic nerve."

Thus, the trifocal lens

should not be implanted

in people with retinal diseases, glaucoma, or alterations in the transparency of the cornea or irregular astigmatism.

"It is also very important to explain to the patient what they will feel in the first days after surgery - a different way of seeing and focusing - as well as

setting real expectations

and resolving doubts in advance. This is the key to success and for patient satisfaction".

With its incorporation, in addition to "the quality and safety that the Zeiss brand offers to the doctor and the patient", it is expected to obtain " very satisfactory distance, near and intermediate

visual acuities

for the patient, minimal loss of contrast sensitivity in relation to other multifocal lenses and a very subtle perception of the halo, an undesirable photic effect inherent in the design of diffractive multifocal lenses".

Finally, Bernabéu highlights that surgeries to implant this type of lenses require

specific training

.

"Absolutely yes. Implanting a monofocal lens is not the same as implanting this type of lens. The phacorefractive surgeon must be trained in the analysis of the cornea, the aberrations, and very meticulously

assess certain variables

that, sometimes, are not taken into account. in conventional surgery with monofocal lenses. In short, you have to know when a lens is not suitable for a specific eye."