Intraocular lenses in age-related macular degeneration

Smaller-Incision new-generation implantable miniature telescope: Three-months follow-up study

PURPOSE

To evaluate three months follow-up of SING IMT implant in patients affected by late-stage AMD.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

In a total of 80 eyes of 40 patients who underwent the enrollment tests, 11 patients' eyes affected by late-stage AMD matched the inclusion criteria and underwent SING IMT implant from February to June 2022.

METHODS

Before surgery, each patient underwent the enrollment examination to verify inclusion and exclusion criteria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BCVA for distance and for near, IOP, ACD and ECD were evaluated at 1 and 3 months follow up. Also quality of life in doing the activities of daily life was evaluated.

RESULTS

BCVA for distance and for near improved from baseline to 3 months follow up (23.91 ± 9.418 ETDRS letters and 59.09 ± 11.58 ETDRS letters respectively (p < 0.001). An endothelial cell loss was shown (p < 0.001), with a rate of cell density reduction around 8.3% (baseline vs 3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

SING IMT could be a valid surgical device to improve patients' sight and quality of life which have been deteriorated by late-stage macular degeneration. Further studies with more patients and longer follow up are needed to confirm our results.

Optimising image quality with EyeMax Mono lens in dry age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND

To investigate clinical outcomes in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after intracapsular implantation of a novel EyeMax Mono macular lens.

METHODS

In this study, 22 phakic eyes of 19 moderate to advanced dry AMD patients with macular disciform scar and/or macular atrophy who were followed up for ≥ 3 months after surgery were studied. A thorough pre-operative ophthalmological examination was performed, including measurement of corrected distance visual acuity in logMAR and ETDR. Following phacoemulsification, the EyeMax Mono lens was implanted intracapsularly via a 2.2-mm clear corneal incision to improve retinal image quality in all areas of the macula ≤ 10° from the central fovea. Main outcome measures included optimisation of corrected distance visual acuity and surgical safety.

RESULTS

Male-to-female ratio was 13:6. Mean age at surgery was 68.37 ± 10.23 years. The mean duration of post-operative follow-up was 7.91 ± 3.42 months. The mean post-operative refractive spherical equivalent improved to + 2.31 ± 1.56 D with significant visual improvement as early as 3 months post-operatively. Post-operative corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly from 1.05 ± 0.45 to 0.72 ± 0.43 logMAR (P < 0.001), equivalent to mean ETDRS of 49.55 ± 20.05 (P < 0.001). There were no major surgical complications, either intra- or post-operatively, except in two patients who experienced intra-operative haptic rupture.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended macular vision lenses appear to have a comparable safety profile as standard IOLs in the short to medium term. It could be the preferred lens for improving and preserving visual acuity in moderate to advanced dry AMD patients.

Implantable vision-enhancing devices and postoperative rehabilitation in advanced age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) results in progressive vision loss that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and ability to perform routine daily activities. Although pharmaceutical treatments for AMD are available and in clinical development, patients with late-stage AMD are relatively underserved. Specialized rehabilitation programs and external low-vision aids are available to support visual performance for those with advanced AMD; but intraocular vision-improving devices, including implantable miniature telescope (IMT) and intraocular lens (IOL) implants, offer advantages regarding head motion, vestibular ocular reflex development, and depth perception. IMT and IOL technologies are rapidly evolving, and many patients who could benefit from them remain unidentified. This review of recent literature summarizes available information on implantable devices for improving vision in patients with advanced AMD. Furthermore, it discusses recent attempts of developing the quality of life tests including activities of daily life and objective assessments. This may offer the ophthalmologist but also the patient a better possibility to detect changes or improvements before and after surgery. It is evident that surgery with new implants/devices is no longer the challenge, but rather the more complex management of patients before and after surgery as well as the correct selection of cases.

Three-Month Safety and Efficacy Outcomes for the Smaller-Incision New-Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT™)

The smaller-incision new-generation implantable miniature telescope (SING IMT™) is the second generation of the IMT™, a telescope prosthesis that is indicated for monocular implantation in patients with stable vision impairment caused by bilateral central scotomas associated with end-stage Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This non-comparative retrospective study is the first and largest single-surgeon case series to evaluate the short-term (3 months) safety and efficacy of the device in patients with disciform scars or geographic atrophy at baseline. The main outcome measures included best-corrected distance and near visual acuity (CDVA and CDNVA, respectively), endothelial cell density (ECD) loss, and the incidence of complications. At postoperative month 3 in the study eyes, mean CDVA and CDNVA improved by +14.9 ± 7.1 letters and +7.7 ± 3.2 Jaeger levels, respectively. Importantly, 70.83% of patients gained ≥ 2 lines, 58.33% ≥ 3 lines, and 25.00% ≥ 4 lines of CDVA. From baseline, ECD loss in the study eyes was 10.4 ± 13.3% at 3 months, however, ECD was comparable between the study and fellow eyes at all time points. The most common complication was corneal edema. In all, these short-term outcomes suggest that the SING IMT™ delivers lower ECD loss than the first-generation IMT ™, but similar visual outcomes and safety.

The intraocular implant and visual rehabilitation improve the quality of life of elderly patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of intraocular macular lens implantation and visual rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

Patients with bilaterally decreased near vision (not better than 0.3 logMAR with the best correction), pseudophakia, were included in the project. The Scharioth macula lens (SML) was implanted into the patients' better-seeing eye. Intensive visual rehabilitation of the ability to perform nearby activities was performed for 20 consecutive postoperative days. All subjects were examined before and after SML implantation ophthalmologically. The National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was administered before and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty eligible patients with mean age 81 years (63 to 92 years) were included in the project: 7 males and 13 females. Nineteen of them completed the 6-month follow-up. Near uncorrected visual acuity was 1.321 ± 0.208 logMAR before SML implantation and improved to 0.547 ± 0.210 logMAR after 6 months (dz =  - 2.846, p < 0.001, BF10 = 3.29E + 07). In the composite score of the NEI VFQ-25, there was an improvement in the general score and the specific domains related to the implantation. Participants reported fewer difficulties in performing near activities (dz = 0.91, p = 0.001, BF10 = 39.718) and upturns in mental health symptoms related to vision (dz = 0.62, p = .014, BF10 = 3.937).

CONCLUSION

SML implantation, followed by appropriate rehabilitation, improved near vision and increased the quality of life of visually handicapped patients with AMD in our project.

Improving Outcomes for Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Cataracts: The Importance of Including an Assessment of Activities of Daily Life (ADL)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developing world. AMD causes a substantial burden on patients, reducing independence, their ability to conduct daily activities, and increasing rates of cognitive decline and depression. There is a significant unmet need for patients with AMD, which will grow as the population ages and rates of disease increase. In the past, many studies have demonstrated a benefit when coexisting cataract formation is treated by removing the cloudy lens. AMD-lenses are intraocular implants designed to improve visual acuity in patients with AMD, avoiding the need for cumbersome manual vision aids and magnifiers. Many IOLs have been investigated in AMD, with differing mechanisms aimed at overcoming visual impairment. Most AMD studies use Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart-based assessments of vision, but BCVA does not correlate with lesion size or pattern, especially in geographic atrophy, and may not be the most appropriate measure to effectively assess vision defects in AMD before or after a cataract surgery. One option is a simple functional assessment of vision related to activities of daily living (ADL), based on a reproducible, task-based questionnaire. The test consists of 6 assessments of ADL to be completed by patients before and after cataract surgery. Experiences highlight the importance of including an assessment of ADL in patients receiving an implant, which gives an effective measure of patient satisfaction. We would welcome the use of similar questionnaires in larger studies of patients, to validate its utility in a broader patient population. In this review article, we (Scandinavian-Austrian-cooperation) summarize lenses designed for implantation in patients with AMD, and how best to improve outcomes through proper patient selection, appropriate vision evaluation using quality-of-life related assessment, and pre- and post-operative care.

Management of Cataract in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are two of the most common eye diseases of aging. This review addresses the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative considerations in managing cataract in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Surgery for visually significant cataracts in patients with AMD can substantially improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of falls. Pre-operative optical coherence tomography is now recommended where possible to identify pre-existing macula disease. Careful counselling of patients is required before cataract surgery, especially with respect to the expected visual outcome, intraocular lens choice and potential risks of surgery. Real-world data has suggested 6 months of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular AMD before cataract surgery is compatible with optimum long-term visual outcomes. Patients receiving intravitreal therapy for neovascular AMD should be advised of the slightly higher risk of intraoperative complications and the surgeon should be prepared to manage these during the operation. During cataract surgery, unnecessary light exposure should be avoided to reduce phototoxicity. Careful planning of intravitreal therapy for neovascular AMD just before cataract surgery allows the eye greater recovery time in the post-operative period before further planned intravitreal therapy.

Intraocular vision-improving devices in age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, especially in western countries, and will substantially burden society and the world’s health care system. Patients with late AMD often accompany a progressive loss of central vision, which will heavily influence the quality of life and associated with increased risk of functional disability. The principal visual rehabilitation methods with low-vision magnifiers, such as hand or stand magnifiers, spectacles, and closed-circuit television, were cumbersome to use and cosmetically burdensome. Therefore, the development of intraocular vision-improving devices has become an attractive alternative to extraocular visual aids, and better life quality improvement has been reached among AMD patients. To evaluate each device’s safety and efficacy based on current research, we searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed using pre-reported search terms and keywords combined with both Mesh term and text words. We explored randomized clinical controlled trials, cohort studies, and case serial reports and summarizes three aspects: visual outcomes, safety outcome, and quality of life outcomes. There are four types of devices recommended for AMD patients illustrating in this article: an implantable miniature telescope (IMT), IOL-VIP System, EyeMax Mono, and Scharioth macula lens (SML). There is no doubt that these technological advancements would bring new hope for AMD patients. However, the lack of randomized controls, limited follow-up duration, and various visual acuity (VA) measurements in different studies would be difficult than IOL devices.

Four Years of Observation to Evaluate Autonomy and Quality of Life after Implantation of a High-Add Intraocular Lens in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients

Visual impairment resulting from advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) limits the ability to perform activities required for independent living and adversely affects quality of life. We aimed to determine changes in these parameters in patients with AMD-related geographic atrophy who underwent magnifying cataract surgery (MAGS) using a foldable, bifocal high-add intraocular lens (IOL). The high-add IOL (LENTIS® MAX LS-313 MF 80, Oculentis) was implanted in the better seeing or dominant eye of eligible patients with clinically significant cataract, best corrected distance visual acuity 1.3–0.5 logMAR (20/400–20/63), best corrected near visual acuity >0.8 logMAR (20/125), and stable advanced dry AMD. Self-reported feasibility of performing routine activities and change in quality of life were the main outcome measures. Eleven of 15 operated patients had complete follow-up to 48 months. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. AMD converted from dry to wet in 2 patients. All patients reported functional gains in the first 3–6 months after surgery, and 10/11 patients reported improved quality of life. From baseline to 48 months, functional performance remained improved in all patients, and quality of life remained improved in the 9 patients with stable AMD. Best corrected distance visual acuity and uncorrected near visual acuity improved in all cases after surgery.

Matching the Patient to the Intraocular Lens: Preoperative Considerations to Optimize Surgical Outcomes

The intraocular lens (IOL) selection process for patients requires a complex and objective assessment of patient-specific ocular characteristics, including the quality and quantity of corneal astigmatism, health of the ocular surface, and other ocular comorbidities. Potential issues that could be considered complications after surgery, including dry eye disease, anterior or epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, Salzmann nodular degeneration, and pterygium, should be addressed proactively. Aspheric IOLs are designed to eliminate the positive spherical aberration added by traditional IOLs to the pseudophakic visual axis. Spherical aberration may be a consideration with patient selection. Patient desire for increased spectacle independence after surgery is one of the main drivers for the development of multifocal IOLs and extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs. However, no one single multifocal or EDOF IOL suits all patients' needs. The wide variety of multifocal and EDOF IOLs, their optics, and their respective impact on patient quality of vision have to be understood fully to choose the appropriate IOL for each individual, and surgery has to be customized. Patients who have undergone previous LASIK or who have radial keratotomy and ocular pathologic features, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and epiretinal membrane, require specific considerations for IOL selection. Subjectively, patient-centered considerations, including visual goals, lifestyle, personality, profession, and hobbies, are key elements for the surgeon to assess and factor into an IOL recommendation. This holistic approach will help surgeons to achieve optimal surgical outcomes and to meet (and exceed) the high expectations of patients.

Intraocular Lenses: Overview of Designs, Materials, and Pathophysiologic Features

This article provides an overview of intraocular lenses (IOLs) currently used in cataract surgery. Aspects presented include design features related to IOL construction and sites of fixation; optic, filter, and haptic materials; as well as pathophysiologic features of uveal biocompatibility, capsular biocompatibility, and postoperative IOL opacification. This overview also includes supplementary (add-on; piggyback) lenses implanted in eyes that are already pseudophakic and considerations on IOLs used in the pediatric population. Different IOLs are made available to surgeons each year, including lenses with increasingly complex design characteristics owing to advancements in manufacturing and surgical techniques.

Implantation of the First IMT Macular Lens in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Literature Review)

This review presents the characteristics and results of clinical studies of patients with age-related macular degeneration implanted with the developed for this purpose first macular IOL – intraocular macular telescope (IMT). This lens was designed specifically for patients with the most severe or terminal form of age-related macular degeneration and is designed for monocular implantation to provide central vision while maintaining peripheral vision of the paired eye, which is important for maintaining the balance and orientation of patients. This device allows patients to see both in dynamic and static situations in the near, intermediate and far ranges. The disadvantages of this lens are a decrease in the visual field and depth of focus (which excludes its bilateral implantation), the need for a large (10–12 mm) incision for implantation, which can cause an increase in corneal astigmatism and the risk of complications, in particular, the pupillary block with an increase in intraocular pressure. There are also difficulties in the study of the fundus after its implantation to assess the small changes in the macula or to identify possible postoperative complications after cataract surgery (macular oedema, etc.). Also after the implantation of this lens, there is need for special programs of visual rehabilitation. The patient’s commitment to the rehabilitation measures for the adaptation of the central visual field of the operated eye with the peripheral vision of the second eye is crucial for success of the IMT macular telescope implantation procedure.

A case report detailing use of a new intraocular lens with advanced technology, designed specifically for patients with center-involving macular disorders

RATIONALE

Many studies have shown that cataract surgery can be performed safely and improve visual acuity, without increasing the risk of progression of existing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Data are emerging for an intraocular lens (IOL) that utilizes an advanced optical design to optimize the image supplied to all areas of the macula and not just the foveal center, which may benefit patients with center-involving macular disorders.

PATIENT CONCERNS

An 83-year-old Caucasian female presented with poor contrast sensitivity and color perception with increasing glare over the preceding year.

DIAGNOSIS

She had a progressive cortical cataract and stable dry AMD in the left eye, and wet AMD in the right eye. In the left eye, preoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) was 0.2 (decimal) and best-corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA) was 0.05 (decimal).

INTERVENTIONS

Standard small-incision phacoemulsification was performed in the left eye, with capsular bag implantation of EyeMax Mono (LEH Pharma, London, UK), a single-piece, soft, hydrophobic, acrylic IOL designed to optimize image quality across the macula, rather than a standard monofocal lens.

OUTCOMES

At 6 months postoperation, visual acuity in the left eye had markedly improved, with a BCDVA of 0.5 (decimal) and a BCNVA of 0.2 (decimal).

CONCLUSION

In this first case undertaken at our center (and the first in Austria), cataract extraction and EyeMax Mono implantation were performed safely, with good subjective and objective outcome measures consistent with the effects of image optimization across the macula. Further studies of this IOL in patients with center-involving macular disorders, such as AMD, are warranted.

Cataract surgery with implantation of a high-add intraocular lens LENTIS® MAX LS-313 MF80 in end-stage, age-related macular degeneration: A case report of magnifying surgery

A new treatment option for cataracts and advanced ARMD: the simultaneous intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and implantation of a high-add IOL. We believe major opportunities arise from a new subcategory in cataract surgery-called magnifying surgery (MAGS). Our case proves the potential of this brand-new technology.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of visual impairment and severe vision loss. Clinically, it is classified as early-stage (medium-sized drusen and retinal pigmentary changes) to late-stage (neovascular and atrophic). Age-related macular degeneration is a multifactorial disorder, with dysregulation in the complement, lipid, angiogenic, inflammatory, and extracellular matrix pathways implicated in its pathogenesis. More than 50 genetic susceptibility loci have been identified, of which the most important are in the CFH and ARMS2 genes. The major non-genetic risk factors are smoking and low dietary intake of antioxidants (zinc and carotenoids). Progression from early-stage to late-stage disease can be slowed with high-dose zinc and antioxidant vitamin supplements. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (eg, ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab) is highly effective at treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and has markedly decreased the prevalence of visual impairment in populations worldwide. Currently, no proven therapies for atrophic disease are available, but several agents are being investigated in clinical trials. Future progress is likely to be from improved efforts in prevention and risk-factor modification, personalised medicine targeting specific pathways, newer anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or other agents, and regenerative therapies.