Alcon IOLs Story

In many ways, we take the effects of aging as a given. We accept that as we get older, time will gradually take its toll on our bodies. We’re resigned to know that our hair will turn white, we’ll spot crow’s feet around our eyes in the mirror, our hearing will start to fade, and our vision will only get worse. While these might be natural biproducts of getting on in years, it doesn’t mean we have to live with them. We can smooth out our wrinkles, and even get hearing aids to tune us back in to the sounds of our world. Likewise, we can maintain and even improve our eyesight — especially if caused by cataracts.

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Cataracts are the build-up of protein in the eye’s natural lenses, which causes clouded, blurred, dimmed, or even double vision and seeing halos around lights — sort of like trying to peer through a foggy windshield of your car. It’s a very common problem; about 90% of Americans develop cataracts by age 65.

“All of us have a natural lens inside our eye that changes over time very much like our hair turns white,” says Zarmeena Vendal, M.D., ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon. “It's a normal process in the body, and once the lens is cloudy enough, it starts to interfere with our daily activities. We will all develop this over our lifetime at different ages.”

The good news is that there’s a relatively easy way to clear away the clouds and welcome a clear view to a bright future. Every year, Dr. Vendal and her fellow surgeons across the U.S. perform more than 3.7 million cataract surgeries, making it one of the most common surgical procedures in the country. The surgeon makes micro-incisions and replaces the natural lens with an artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL). And, depending on which type of lens you choose, you can not only clear your vision — you can actually improve your eyesight and decrease or even eliminate your need for eyeglasses. In fact, according to a global Alcon Eye On Cataract Survey, 90% of post-surgery cataract patients agree they have better vision, 71% agree they have an improvement in quality of life, and nearly half agree they have the vision of someone younger as a result. It’s clear to see that, given the opportunity for vision correction that advanced IOLs known as “presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses” (PC-IOLs) provide, patients nowadays as a rare chance to turn back the clock on a common sign of aging.

Cataracts Can Limit Our Vision, but Surgery and Implant Lenses Can Open Up Our Field of View

Different Perspectives on Lenses

When undergoing cataract surgery, you have several options when it comes to which artificial lens implant you want to replace it with. Each has different traits and capabilities. “We want to customize the choice by listening to the patient and what results they are looking for from their surgery,” says Dr. Vendal. “I firmly believe an integral part of this process is for the surgeon and the patient to lead this process together. I help them select lens options based on a patient's eye health, other active eye diseases, previous refractive surgery, dry eye, or astigmatism. We often discuss the results of testing we do for every cataract consultation as well as how much independence the patient is seeking from glasses. This should always be a collaborative process.”

Patients looking to reduce how often they need to wear glasses may consider Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses (PC-IOLs). Presbyopia is a gradual change in the muscles of the eye that makes it difficult for older adults to see things up close. But PC-IOLs can mitigate that, providing clarity up close, at midrange, and in the distance, and greatly reducing the need for eyeglasses. There are also toric PC-IOLs for patients with astigmatism.

“I like to share personal stories about my own parents who have both been very gratified with their specific PC-IOL implants for the last 15 years despite the implants being different from each other.,” says Dr. Vendal. “I always offer customized options for only those lenses that are a good choice for that particular patient after thorough testing.”

Clareon PanOptix and Clareon Vivity

Today, patients have multiple options within the world of PC-IOLs, with Clareon PanOptix and Clareon Vivity . Clareon PanOptix is the only advanced lens in the US that combines three different prescriptions into one lens. Using ENLIGHTEN technology, Clareon PanOptix optimizes vision at intermediate distance while still maintaining exceptional vision at both near and far distances. With a full range of vision, you can truly see life differently, discovering brighter, more vivid colors, gaining complete focus and reducing your need to wear glasses. In a clinical study, 99.2% of patients with Clareon PanOptix say

they’d choose the same lens again, and 98% would recommend the lens to their family and friends. Meanwhile, Clareon Vivity is an Extended Depth of Focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) that is designed to provide a continuous range of vision from distance to intermediate with functional near vision, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. Clareon Vivity is the first and only EDOF IOL with wavefront-shaping X-Wave Technology that leverages proprietary transition elements, helping transitions between different visual distances feel more natural compared to other options.

“Innovation in lens technology is one of the most rewarding parts of our work,” says Dr. Vendal. “The Clareon lens material has taken dependable lens implants and made them even better for our patients by reducing the chance of any imperfections forming in the lens over time. Doctors can recommend these lenses with even more confidence than before.”

So, if cataracts are clouding your vision and you are a candidate for corrective surgery, talk to your doctor about your choices in implant lenses. After all, PC-IOLs might just help make your golden years your best yet by giving you the freedom to see how you want to without spectacles. “I welcome any patient who is wondering if they have cataracts to seek consultation and understand their options,” says Dr. Vendal. “Some of our happiest patients are those who reduced glasses dependence at the time of cataract surgery while being very active in their lifestyles. Due to lens implant technology, we do not have to feel limited due to our vision anymore, and that is worth a conversation about cataract surgery. This is hands down one of the most exciting times to be practicing eye surgery because of all of this technology. We have a more sophisticated toolbox than ever before.” If you have concerns about your vision, speak with an ophthalmologist today. They can provide expert guidance on the best treatment options for your specific needs. To find an ophthalmologist near you and learn more about cataracts and presbyopia-correcting IOLs, visit mycataracts.com.

IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION: CLAREON® FAMILY OF IOLS

CAUTION: Federal law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.

INDICATION: The family of Clareon® intraocular lenses (IOLs) includes the Clareon® Aspheric Hydrophobic Acrylic and Clareon® Aspheric Toric IOLs, the Clareon® PanOptix® Trifocal Hydrophobic IOL, Clareon® PanOptix® Toric, Clareon® Vivity® Extended Vision Hydrophobic Posterior Chamber IOL and Clareon® Vivity® Toric IOLs. Each of these IOLs is indicated for visual correction of aphakia in adult patients following cataract surgery. In addition, the Clareon® Toric IOLs are indicated to correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. The Clareon® PanOptix® lens mitigates the effects of presbyopia by providing improved intermediate and near visual acuity, while maintaining comparable distance visual acuity with a reduced need for eyeglasses, compared to a monofocal IOL. The Clareon® Vivity® lens mitigates the effects of presbyopia by providing an extended depth of focus. Compared to an aspheric monofocal IOL, the lens provides improved intermediate and near visual acuity, while maintaining comparable distance visual acuity. All of these IOLs are intended for placement in the capsular bag.

WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS: General cautions for all Clareon® IOLs: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefit ratio before implanting any IOL in a patient with any of the conditions described in the Directions for Use that accompany each IOL. Physicians should target emmetropia, and ensure that IOL centration is achieved.

For the Clareon® Aspheric Toric, PanOptix® Toric and Vivity® Toric IOLs, the lens should not be implanted if the posterior capsule is ruptured, if the zonules are damaged, or if a primary posterior capsulotomy is planned. Rotation can reduce astigmatic correction; if necessary lens repositioning should occur as early as possible prior to lens encapsulation.

For the Clareon® PanOptix® IOL, some visual effects may be expected due to the superposition of focused and unfocused multiple images. These may include some perceptions of halos or starbursts, as well as other visual symptoms. As with other multifocal IOLs, there is a possibility that visual symptoms may be significant enough that the patient will request explant of the multifocal IOL. A reduction in contrast sensitivity as compared to a monofocal IOL may be experienced by some patients and may be more prevalent in low lighting conditions. Therefore, patients implanted with multifocal IOLs should exercise caution when driving at night or in poor visibility conditions. Patients should be advised that unexpected outcomes could lead to continued spectacle dependence or the need for secondary surgical intervention (e.g., intraocular lens replacement or repositioning). As with other multifocal IOLs, patients may need glasses when reading small print or looking at small objects. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), may significantly affect the vision of patients with multifocal IOLs sooner in its progression than patients with monofocal IOLs.

For the Clareon® Vivity® IOL, most patients implanted with the Vivity® IOL are likely to experience significant loss of contrast sensitivity as compared to a monofocal IOL. Therefore, it is essential that prospective patients be fully informed of this risk before giving their consent for implantation of the Clareon® Vivity® IOL. In addition, patients should be warned that they will need to exercise caution when engaging in activities that require good vision in dimly lit environments, such as driving at night or in poor visibility conditions, especially in the presence of oncoming traffic. It is possible to experience very bothersome visual disturbances, significant enough that the patient could request explant of the IOL. In the parent AcrySof® IQ Vivity® IOL clinical study, 1% to 2% of AcrySof® IQ Vivity® IOL patients reported very bothersome starbursts, halos, blurred vision, or dark area visual disturbances; however, no explants were reported.

Prior to surgery, physicians should provide prospective patients with a copy of the Patient Information Brochure available from Alcon informing them of possible risks and benefits associated with these IOLs.

ATTENTION: Reference the Directions for Use labeling for each IOL for a complete listing of indications, warnings and precautions.

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