Assessment of Visual Function and Optics in Intraocular Lenses

A cataract occurs when the natural lens of the eye, which plays a major role in the focusing of light and production of sharp visual images, becomes cloudy and hardens, resulting in a loss of visual function. Left untreated, cataracts can cause preventable blindness. During cataract surgery the natural lens is removed and a man-made intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in its place.

IOL technology has advanced significantly in recent years and as a result the main goal of cataract surgery is no longer simply the successful removal of the cloudy lens and restoration of vision. Providing patients with the best possible refractive outcome and the best possible visual quality is now much more important when assessing surgery outcomes.

Aspheric, multifocal and accommodating IOLs are among the new designs developed to improve visual outcome after cataract surgery. In order to assess the effectiveness of these designs, visual function needs to be evaluated both objectively and subjectively following their implantation. Such evaluation allows the continued evolution of these IOL designs towards optimum. This proposed research study, which aims to assess the visual function and optical performance of new CE marked IOLs after implantation, could significantly contribute to the enhancement and development of improved IOL designs in the future.

We have successfully conducted similar patient trials for the past 5 years. As new IOL designs are constantly being developed, approved and CE marked, this type of research study will always have the potential to offer new information that is not currently available and has not previously been assessed or published and could contribute towards improved IOL designs in the future.

All outcome measures will be captured 3-6 months after surgery

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects age between 40-85 years, may be either male or female, and may be of any race (as cataracts rarely occur before the age of 40 and above 85 other ocular pathology is common).
• Subjects requiring cataract surgery.
• Potential for best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better (as visual function in these patients will be affected by ocular pathology).
• Subjects with clear intraocular media other than cataract (as assessing cataract).
• General physical and mental condition allowing participation in current study.
• Subjects willing to participate as evidenced by signing the written informed

Exclusion criteria

• Prior surgery on the selected eye
• Previous uveitis or trauma to the selected eye, anterior or posterior synechiae
• Potential for best corrected visual acuity worse than 6/12 (since this may indicate other causes of ocular pathology)
• Partial or total paralysis, Parkinsons syndrome, cerebrovascular accident or other condition that could impact on the results of the study
• Subject over 85 years of age (ocular pathology more common in this age group)
• Subjects without adequate physical and mental capacity to enable participation in the study
• Subject unwilling to participate
• Systemic or topical medication known to influence visual function measures