The first Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL), the Acrysof PanOptix®, was approved for use in the United States in 2019. It has been implanted since 2015 in Europe and has been generating excellent reviews and stellar patient satisfaction. Our Ophthalmology Department has implanted this PanOptix Lens during cataract surgery since 2019, resulting in very high patient satisfaction.
The PanOptix IOL is different from the current lenses available in the United States in that it offers three focal lengths – distance, computer, and reading vision.
Multifocal intraocular lenses that became popular over ten years ago limited patients to distance and reading vision, with poor mid-range capabilities. As a result, eyeglasses were often necessary for computer use. These older multifocal lenses also had a significant incidence of glare, halos, and starbursts, which limited patient satisfaction.
The new PanOptix Trifocal Lens improves these limitations by providing good computer vision and decreasing glare, halos, and starbursts. This lens also gives patients the ability to perform most tasks without glasses, although wearing glasses may enhance vision even more and is an option after cataract surgery. There is also a toric version of this lens that can decrease astigmatism for certain patients.
The PanOptix Trifocal Lens provides three focal lengths by placing concentric circles in the lens’s visual axis. This optical technology utilizes 88% of the available light, significantly improving older multifocal intraocular lenses. In a postoperative study of 129 patients by Alcon, 99% of patients would choose the PanOptix lens again, 98% would recommend it to friends and family, and 80% reported that they never wear glasses.
Since the PanOptix Trifocal Lens is more complex than a single vision intraocular lens, results may not be as beneficial for patients with significant corneal disease (e.g., Fuch’s dystrophy, keratoconus, severe dry eyes) or retinal disease (e.g., macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, macular hole). These patients should probably choose a single vision lens.
In my opinion, the PanOptix Trifocal Lens is the best intraocular lens option available in the United States for patients who want to limit their need for glasses and achieve the best combination of distance, computer, and reading vision.
About Ken Kreidl, MD
Ophthalmologist
Originally from San Francisco, Dr. Kreidl opened his ophthalmology practice at Boulder Medical Center in 2004. He and his wife, Ryn, a pediatrician, have two children, Luke and Max. Dr. Kreidl loves mountain biking and skiing with his family and was a nationally ranked tennis player before becoming dedicated to medicine.
Dr. Kreidl is the only provider in Boulder who provides the PanOptix® Trifocal Intraocular Lens. His ophthalmology clinic offers a full range of services, including:
- Cataract Surgery – Acrysof PanOptix® Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL), Symfony Extended Vision Lens, and Crystalens and Trulign accommodative lenses
- Glaucoma – SLT, ALT, LPI
- Diabetes – Retinal Laser Surgery
- Dry Eyes Diagnosis and Therapies
- Eyelid Surgery
- Eye Trauma
- Complete Eye Exams
- Contact Lenses
- Glasses
Resources
- Dr. Kreidl’s Full Profile
- Call (303) 440-3049 for Appointments