A case report detailing use of a new intraocular lens with advanced technology, designed specifically for patients with center-involving macular disorders

RATIONALE: Many studies have shown that cataract surgery can be performed safely and improve visual acuity, without increasing the risk of progression of existing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Data are emerging for an intraocular lens (IOL) that utilizes an advanced optical design to optimize the image supplied to all areas of the macula and not just the foveal center, which may benefit patients with center-involving macular disorders. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 83-year-old Caucasian female presented with poor contrast sensitivity and color perception with increasing glare over the preceding year. DIAGNOSIS: She had a progressive cortical cataract and stable dry AMD in the left eye, and wet AMD in the right eye. In the left eye, preoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) was 0.2 (decimal) and best-corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA) was 0.05 (decimal). INTERVENTIONS: Standard small-incision phacoemulsification was performed in the left eye, with capsular bag implantation of EyeMax Mono (LEH Pharma, London, UK), a single-piece, soft, hydrophobic, acrylic IOL designed to optimize image quality across the macula, rather than a standard monofocal lens. OUTCOMES: At 6 months postoperation, visual acuity in the left eye had markedly improved, with a BCDVA of 0.5 (decimal) and a BCNVA of 0.2 (decimal). CONCLUSION: In this first case undertaken at our center (and the first in Austria), cataract extraction and EyeMax Mono implantation were performed safely, with good subjective and objective outcome measures consistent with the effects of image optimization across the macula. Further studies of this IOL in patients with center-involving macular disorders, such as AMD, are warranted.