Eyeworld

EW RETINA 66 August 2015 Results Outcomes depend upon the visual potential remaining in the eye, Dr. Artal said, but many patients have seen excellent improvements in their vision and quality of life. Dr. Qureshi has implanted the iolAMD in more than 100 eyes in the United Kingdom since the beginning of 2014. His patients have experienced an average improve- ment in vision of 67% for distance and 50% for reading, with no intra- operative or postoperative compli- cations. Dr. Hengerer has been implant- ing the lens since mid-2014, and has seen no rise in intraocular pressure, iris defects, or pupillary disturbanc- es. "In the patients I've implanted so far, they've improved even more than expected," he said. "I'm very happy to have this tool in my hands and to offer it to my patients." What's next in development? The iolAMD has received regulatory approval in Europe, and London Eye Hospital Pharma is planning to start the FDA approval process this year, with the goal of entering the U.S. market in the next few years. Lens designers are already improving the design of the iolAMD system to have it fit into an even smaller incision and to stabilize the distance between the two lenses. They have also developed a version that can be used as an add-on lens for pseudophakic patients. The add- on lens has also received regulatory approval in Europe and has been implanted with excellent results, Dr. Qureshi said, providing improved vision to this large subset of AMD patients. The iolAMD system is poised to have a huge impact on the treat- ment of AMD and other macular disorders. "Prior to the introduc- tion of this system, I had to tell my patients there was no option other than lifestyle modifications," Dr. Qureshi said. "This procedure changes lives and gives my patients renewed hope. I think it applies to any patient with this blinding con- dition." EW Editors' note: Dr. Qureshi and Dr. Artal have financial interests with London Eye Hospital Pharma. Dr. Hengerer has no financial interests related to this article. Contact information Qureshi: admin@lehpharma.com Artal: pablo@um.es Hengerer: fritz.hengerer@kgu.de The IOL continued from page 65 required, Dr. Artal said, and the sur- gery takes only a few minutes longer than a standard cataract procedure. After phacoemulsification, the myopic lens is placed in the capsular bag, followed by placement of the hyperopic lens in the sulcus. The learning curve for implant- ing the device is incredibly short, said Fritz Hengerer, MD, PhD, senior head physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe Univer- sity, Frankfurt, and the first surgeon to implant the iolAMD in Germany. Dialing the sulcus lens into the cor- rect position is similar to aligning a toric IOL to the axis of astigmatism, so surgeons who are familiar with toric IOLs should have no problem implanting the lens, he said. After implanting the iolAMD in the first eye, surgeons should wait several days before implant- ing the second lens, he added, to ensure there is no rise in intraocular pressure, no sign of infection, and to determine if the patient is happy with the visual results.

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