05 Mar Panoptix IOL
The Panoptix IOL (intraocular lens) can be placed in your eye after cataract surgery to give you a more full range of vision. It is the first FDA approved trifocal IOL and the most commonly used multiple focus lens in the world.
Cataract surgery involves the removal of your blurry cataract lens and then replacing it with an IOL. There are several different types of IOL you can choose at that time depending one what distances you want to see without glasses. There are three important distances for most of us, distance, intermediate (computer), and near (books). A single vision lens provides focus at just one of those distances without glasses. For example, if you select distance vision, then you would need glasses for intermediate and near vision tasks.
A multiple focus lens gives vision without glasses at more than one distance. Bifocal and trifocal multiple focus lens options are available. The bifocal multi-focus lenses like the ReStor 2.5 and the Symphony EDOF lenses split light into two focal points. As a result, they give vision for distance and for intermediate vision. The ReStor 3.0 gives distance and reading vision.
Panoptix IOL
The Panoptix IOL splits the light into three focal points, distance, intermediate, AND near. In Europe there are other trifocals available like the at-Lisa and the Fine vision. The AT-Lisa lens and the Fine Vision lenses use a sequential diffractive pattern to split light. This means that the near vision distance, mathematically, will always be exactly half the intermediate distance. These lenses therefore have intermediate at approximately 80 cm (31.5 Inches) and near at approximately 40 cm (15.75 Inches).
The PanOptix is the most popular trifocal lens in the world. The PanOptix engineers started with the goal of providing near vision at 40 cm like they other trifocals. However, they wanted an intermediate distance of 60 cm (23.62 inches) based on data they had about patients’ preferences. To achieve this, they started with a quadra-focal design which would have had 4 focal points: distance, 120 cm, 60 cm, and 40 cm focal points, but they directed all of the light from the 120 cm peak back to distance. This created a trifocal lens with distance, 60 cm, and 40 cm defocus peaks. This also makes the PanOptix a distance dominant lens by directing a greater amount of the light to enhance distance vision.
PanOptix IOL Defocus Curve
Defocus curves are used to help evaluate where patients can see well with a given lens. The data from the FDA trial is presented in the following graph which shows the quality of vision (VA) on the Y axis. This data has been converted to a standard eye exam scale (Snellen) to make it easier to understand. In the Snellen scale, 20/20 vision is considered outstanding. 20/16 vision is even better than 20/20. 20/40 vision (the dotted line) is worse than 20/20 vision and is the minimum requirement for an unrestricted drivers license. The X axis basically shows where the vision was evaluated. For example, how well could patients on average see at distance, intermediate (24 inches) or near (16 inches)
Who should choose a Panoptix IOL?
The trifocal multiple focus lenses offer a new set of features that line up more closely with the desires of a large percentage of my patients. For example, short armed-individuals that read four hours per day and do intricate crafting may see better with a stronger, closer reading point like the ZMBOO.
An individual with a bifocal lifestyle like a computer programmer may prefer a Vivity Lens to direct most of the near light to an intermediate target. The Vivity Lens also has less night haloing on average than the PanOptix Lens. In addition, patients with previous refractive surgery or aberrated corneas may achieve higher quality vision with the small pupil optics of an IC 8 lens. Patient that desire monovision or fantastic distance/night driving vision but don’t mind readers will want to carefully consider the Light Adjustable Lens.
Likely questions will remain about which IOL is ideal for you. Choose a surgeon that specializes in these advanced technology lenses and make an appointment to spend time discussing your best future once they examine your eyes and get to know you and your desires.
If you would like to learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call us 970.221.2222.
We look forward to meeting you,
Gary Foster, M.D.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Cataract and Laser Vision Specialist
Fort Collins
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