Light adjustable IOL

The light-adjustable intraocular lens (IOL) had moved from the lab to the clinic, where it is producing good visual results in longer term studies. In particular, it is receiving good marks for achieving its potential for fine-tuning refractive outcomes. A new study confirms that the innovative IOL is also safe, causing no more damage to the corneal endothelium than conventional phacoemulsification and IOL implantation cataract surgery. German researchers evaluated endothelial cell loss and corneal thickness over a one-year period in 120 eyes receiving light-adjustable IOLs and the associated UV light lock-in treatment. The mean cumulative UV light dose at the cornea was 61.47 J/cm2 ± 2.37 (SD). The mean endothelial cell loss was 6.91 per cent ± 3.66 per cent two weeks after surgery before adjustment and 6.57 per cent ± 3.81 per cent 12 months after lock-in. The mean relative change in corneal thickness from preoperatively was 6.18 per cent ± 3.97 per cent two weeks postoperatively and −0.64 per cent ± 1.88 per cent 12 months after lock-in. These results are similar to those reported in the literature after conventional phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. In particular, the UV light exposure for adjustment and lock-in procedures did not appear to add to the endothelial damage caused by the cataract surgery.

FH Henger et al., JCRS, “Evaluation of corneal endothelial cell loss and corneal thickness after cataract removal with light-adjustable intraocular lens implantation: 12-month follow-upâ€, Volume 37, Issue 12, 2095-2100.

T Kohnen, JCRS, “Light-adjustable intraocular lens technologyâ€, Volume 37, Issue 12, 2091.