Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 4: Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced the commercial launch of the first and only presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (PC-IOL) with wavefront-shaping technology – the AcrySof® IQ Vivity® IOL (Vivity®). This new PC-IOL is now available to Indian ophthalmologists for their patients undergoing cataract surgery. Cataracts usually impact older adults and are often linked to presbyopia, which reduces the ability to view near objects and is the most common refractive disorder in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Vivity is the first and only extended depth of focus lens with Alcon’s proprietary X-WAVE
technology, which stretches and shifts light without splitting it. Vivity delivers a continuous range of vision at various distances like monofocal-quality distance (far) with excellent intermediate (at arm’s length, e.g., reading the newspaper, working on laptop) and functional near (up close, e.g., reading books, mobile phone), with a clinically proven exceptionally low rate of visual disturbances. Commemorating World Sight Day on October 14, Vivity aims to meet the needs of cataract patients interested in enhanced visual performance, reduced spectacle dependence while enabling for more independence.
Vivity expands Alcon’s growing portfolio of PC-IOLs and is built on Alcon’s trusted and proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform with implants exceeding 125 million eyes globally. According to results from two large independent clinical trials, patients who had the Vivity lens implanted experienced renewed vision and lifestyle benefits. Vivity patients reported 20/20 vision at a distance, more than 20/25 at intermediate and 20/32 for near vision. Additionally, 94% and 92% of Vivity patients reported superior vision at distance and arm’s length, respectively, without glasses in bright light.
Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss globally and the primary cause of preventable blindness in India. Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural crystalline lens followed bya replacement with an intraocular lens (IOL). The prevalence of cataracts in India is 9.9 million; each year, 6.5 million surgeries are performed by around 12,200 cataract surgeons.
Among the 6.5 million undergoing cataract surgery in India, 90% of patients continue to depend on glasses for most of their daily activities even after surgery. An independent survey revealed that 95% of these patients expressed the willingness to get rid of glasses after the surgery. Sadly, despite the desire, there are several barriers. One of the significant barriers is the limitation of the current technology to address the visual needs of all patient groups.
“Traditional IOLs typically address distance vision. The new generation of seniors spend significant time with technology screens like phones, tablets and computers, and currently experience a massive gap in near and intermediate vision post-surgery,” said Shalav Modi, Country Franchise Head, Surgical, and Country Manager at Alcon Laboratories India Pvt Ltd “Vivity addresses this gap and the desire of patients who want to get rid of cataracts and presbyopia at the same time. As a result, patients can be less dependent on glasses for most activities, post-surgery, enhancing their visual satisfaction and quality of life,” Modi added.
Vivityis the first and only non-diffractive* presbyopia-correcting IOL with minimum visual disturbance profile. Unlike conventional presbyopia-correcting IOLs, which split light, Vivity utilizes almost all of the light energy, providing good vision quality in all lighting conditions. Vivity is approved by the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
Leading ophthalmic surgeons worldwide who have had a chance to implant Vivity have said that they can now offer presbyopia correction to a larger number of patients undergoing cataract surgery, with strong satisfaction rates. Based on a recent survey, 93% of patients said they would definitely recommend the new AcrySofVivity to their friends and relatives.
About Cataracts
A cataract is a cloudy area in the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens gradually becomes hard and cloudy, allowing less light to pass through, which makes it more difficult to see. The vast majority of cataracts result from normal aging, but radiation exposure, taking steroids, diabetes and eye trauma can accelerate their development. Cataracts are the most common age-related eye condition and the leading cause of preventable blindness.7
About Presbyopia
Presbyopia, an age-related vision condition in which people have difficulty focusing on things up-close. It involves the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on close objects such as smartphones, computers, books and menus. Almost everyone will experience presbyopia to some degree as they age, with symptoms often first appearing as an individual enters his or her 40s, and continues to worsen in their 60s. The prevalence of uncorrected presbyopia among adults in India is estimated at 33%.
About the AcryS of IQ VivityIOL
The non-diffractive AcrySof IQ Vivity Extended Vision Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Model DFT015 (referred to as AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL) is a UV-absorbing and blue-light-filtering foldable intraocular lens (IOL). This IOL, compared to a monofocal IOL, provides an extended range of vision from distance to near without increasing the incidence of visual disturbances.
About Alcon
Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 23,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.