Sep 11, 2018 - Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, expands its AcrySof® intraocular lens (IOL) portfolio with the introduction of multifocal and multifocal toric ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing IOLs as well as the introduction of the AcrySof® UV-Absorbing monofocal IOL with the UltraSert® Pre-loaded Delivery System.

“At Alcon, input from our surgeons is at the heart of how we innovate to best serve our customers and patients,” said Jim Di Filippo, Vice President and General Manager, US Surgical, Alcon. “While we believe that the proven benefits of blue light filtering AcrySof® Natural IOLs make them an excellent first choice, adding UV-absorbing only options exemplifies our efforts to listen to and respond to surgeons and patients.”

The Alcon UV-absorbing portfolio of IOLs now includes monofocal, toric, multifocal and pre-loaded monofocal options to address the individual needs of surgeons and patients. The new multifocal and multifocal toric options are the AcrySof® ReSTOR® +2.5 Multifocal UV-Absorbing IOL with ACTIVEFOCUSTM optical design and the AcrySof® ReSTOR® +2.5 Multifocal Toric UV-Absorbing IOL with ACTIVEFOCUSTM optical design. These UV-absorbing only multifocal lenses are designed for patients undergoing cataract surgery who choose to address their presbyopia or presbyopia with astigmatism at the same time. The unique optical design of these ACTIVEFOCUSTM lenses delivers crisp, clear distance vision and a range of vision for patients who desire less dependence on glasses.

Additionally, the introduction of the AcrySof® UV-Absorbing monofocal IOL with the UltraSert® Pre-loaded Delivery System means that surgeons can enjoy reliable, user-friendly delivery of a pristine, untouched IOL, with less device preparation time than manually loaded IOLs.

“The Alcon portfolio of IOLs allows me to tailor each procedure to meet the needs of my patients,” says Quentin Allen, MD, Florida Vision Institute in Stuart, FL. “Surgeons can now choose to proactively manage vision and other ocular health considerations, or simply provide an added layer of protection against damaging UV rays.”

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® +2.5 Multifocal Toric UV-Absorbing IOL with ACTIVEFOCUSTM optical design will be available at the end of September. All other lenses in the AcrySof® UV-Absorbing only portfolio are commercially available now. Contact your local Alcon representative for more information.

Important Information About the Alcon Products Featured in this Release

AcrySof® UV-Absorbing IOLs

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Side effects associated with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® +2.5 Multifocal and Multifocal Toric UV-Absorbing IOLs include visual disturbances such as glare, rings around lights and blurred vision. These side effects might make it more difficult to see while driving at night or completing tasks in low lighting such as at night or in fog, after surgery as compared to before surgery.

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® +2.5 Multifocal Toric UV-Absorbing IOL corrects corneal astigmatism only when it is placed in the correct position in the eye. There is a possibility that this IOL could be placed incorrectly or could move within the eye. This may result in less improvement or a reduction in vision because the corneal astigmatism has not been fully corrected, or it may cause other visual symptoms. The safety and effectiveness of AcrySof® UV-Absorbing IOLs has not been established in patients with certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy (an increase in eye pressure or complications of diabetes in the eye).

UltraSert® Pre-loaded IOL Delivery System

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Potential complications accompanying cataract surgery may include corneal endothelial damage, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, vitritis, cystoid macular edema, corneal edema, pupillary block, cyclitic membrane, iris prolapse, hypopyon, and transient or persistent glaucoma. Only Alcon qualified viscoelastic(s) should be used with the UltraSert® Pre-loaded Delivery System. The use of an unqualified viscoelastic may cause damage to the lens and potential complications during the implantation process.