Intracorneal lenses for the treatment of presbyopia: visual outcomes and safety

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate the visual outcomes and safety of Intracorneal lenses (Invue Lens, Biovision AG, Switzerland) for the treatment of presbyopia. Methods This was a prospective clinical study. An intrastromal corneal tunnel was created using a microkeratome composed by a control unit, a suction ring and a cartridge. The lens was inserted within the cornea tunnel of the non‐dominant eye of 45 presbiopian patients. Mean age was 52,33 years old ± 3,29 (25 males and 20 females). The follow‐up was up to 12 months. Results In the operated eye, mean uncorrected visual acuity for distance (UVA‐D) preoperatively, one day, one week one month, three months,six months and 1 year after surgery was 20/20, 20/40, 20/40, 20/32, 20/32, 20/32 and 20/32 respectively, whereas for near (UVA‐N) was 20/50, 20/40, 20/30, 20/30, 20/25, 20/25 and 20/30.Binocular far vision was not altered.Contrast sensitivity tests demonstrated a decrease in scotopic and mesopic conditions.Wavefront analysis demonstrated an increase in all high order aberrations, whereas maximum myopic effect was demonstrated in 3,5 mm zone,which corresponded in the diameter of the lens. No tissue alterations of the cornea were found using corneal confocal microscopy. No intra or post‐operative complications were demonstrated up to one year after surgery. Conclusion Intracorneal lenses for presbyopia seems to be a safe and effective method to correct presbyopia in patients aged between 45 to 55 years old; a target group which is considered too old for refractive laser surgery and too young for clear lens extraction. Longer follow‐up and a larger population are necessary in order to draw more significant results of this new surgical approach for the treatment of presbyopia.