A Novel Concept of Correcting Presbyopia: First Clinical Results with a Phakic Diffractive Intraocular Lens

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a novel technique to correct presbyopia. A phakic IOL (presbyopic IPCL; implantable phakic contact lens) with a diffractive optic is implanted and its impact on visual acuity, refraction, patient satisfaction in patients striving for spectacle-independence is evaluated. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative open-label clinical trial. METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 8 patients (average age 47 years) had a presbyopic IPCL implanted in the posterior chamber. The visual acuity on different distances, refractive status, corneal topography, endothelial cell density, anterior chamber depth, white-to-white, mesopic pupil size and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured before implantation of this novel phakic IOL with diffractive optic and four weeks after surgery. RESULTS: At follow-up four weeks after surgery, 9 of the 16 eyes were emmetropic and uncorrected distance visual acuity was at least 0.8. Near vision was excellent in all patients without the need to wear reading glasses. There was neither a significant change in IOP nor a significant surgical impact on endothelial cells. Patient satisfaction was high. There was no major complaint of halos or glare. CONCLUSION: The presbyopic IPCL can provide the presbyopic patient with good visual acuity and spectacle-independence for far and near distance. We found this novel technique to have a good safety profile during the surgical procedure and our short follow-up period. Further long-term follow-up is mandatory.