Revolutionary Lens Delivers Superior Results For Cataract Patients
featuring expert:
dr. jeffrey horn
When award-winning ophthalmologist Dr. Jeffrey Horn talks about PanOptix—the latest advancement in cataract lens replacement surgery—it’s easy to sense his excitement. “I am thrilled that cataract patients now have a solution that enables them to see clearly at all three primary distances—near, intermediate and far,” he beams. “The PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens is, quite simply, revolutionary.”
To better understand what makes PanOptix so unique, Dr. Horn tells a personal story about how the lens impacted someone special in his life. “As part of my role in the FDA’s clinical trials on PanOptix, I was asked to evaluate the lens and document its performance,” he explains. “The more time I spent examining the lens and its benefits, the more I loved it…so much so that I asked my fiancé to be part of the clinical trial.”
Regarding cataract lens replacement procedure, Dr. Horn explained that the eye’s natural lens—which has become clouded over time because of the cataract—is removed and replaced with a new lens. While this is standard for all cataract procedures, the results with the PanOptix lens were anything but typical. Following the surgery, his fiancé experienced extraordinary improvement in many situations that wouldn’t be solved for most cataract patients.
“She could see clearly when reading on her tablet, driving at night, and watching television and movies.” he says. “She had improved vision at every distance, which isn’t normal … well, at least not with the other lens implant options.”
The reality is that most cataract surgery patients need to wear glasses post-surgery to correct for any astigmatism and near vision problems.
“It was beautiful to see how much my fiancé’s vision improved across the board with the PanOptix lens,” Dr. Horn asserts. But she’s certainly not alone—99 percent of PanOptix patients in the clinical trial said they would recommend the lens.
Considering the massive number of cataract cases in the United States—more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataract-related problems—this new trifocal lens has the potential to drastically improve our way of life today, tomorrow and far into the future.
“Considering the massive number of cataract cases in the United States—more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataract-related problems—this new trifocal lens has the potential to drastically improve our way of life today, tomorrow and far into the future.”
For patients considering lens replacement surgery, Dr. Horn offers the following advice:
1. If you’re having trouble seeing at night, problems with glare, seeing street signs until you’re close to them, difficulty reading despite reading glasses, or have difficulty seeing the TV or movie screen—tell your doctor. “You know your body better than anyone else, so make sure you express what you’re experiencing. The tests we do in the office are helpful at identifying what might be wrong with your vision, but only you truly know when it needs to be corrected.”
2. Understand your lens replacement options. PanOptix is certainly a top-notch choice for addressing vision problems at all distances, but there are other lens choices for patients who only want to fix their near- or far-sightedness. For example, someone who simply wants to improve their night vision might not need advanced technology IOLs. The standard IOL might be fine. However, they may need lenses to correct astigmatism, as over 50% will have astigmatism at the time of cataract and lens replacement surgery. If, on the other hand, the goal is improved vision at more than one distance, presbyopia correcting IOLs , like the PanOptix, could be the better choice.
3. Go to a board-certified ophthalmologist with experience and skill implanting these lenses. “Lens replacement surgery may be common, but it is still surgery that requires a depth of knowledge and skill to be performed safely and effectively,” Dr. Horn says.
Dr. Horn, owner of Vision for Life in Nashville, TN, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. He Is one of only 12 surgeons selected to participate in the FDA clinical trial for PanOptix and the first and only surgeon in Tennessee to implant the lens.
