EyeWorld India December 2014 Issue

29 EWAP CATARACT/IOL December 2014 by Ellen Stodola EyeWorld Staff Writer Multifocal IOL indications, contraindications White paper addresses pros and cons of multifocal IOLs, as well as other key information surgeons should be aware of T he ASCRS Cataract Clinical Committee tackled the topic of multifocal IOLs and indications and contraindications for these lenses in a recent white paper titled “Multifocal intraocular lenses: Relative indications and contraindications for implantation.” It was published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (JCRS). Richard Hoffman, MD , clinical associate professor of ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Eugene, Ore., U.S.; Bonnie Henderson, MD , clinical professor of ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass., U.S.; and Rosa Braga-Mele, MD , professor of ophthalmology, University of Toronto, and director of cataract surgery, Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, Canada, commented on the topic and putting together the white paper. Selecting the topic A number of surgeons still have many questions regarding the use of multifocal lenses. Dr. Henderson said the topic was suggested to ReSTOR multifocal IOL Source: Bonnie An Henderson, MD Richard Hoffman, MD Bonnie An Henderson, MD Rosa Braga-Mele, MD address some of these questions and concerns. “Although multifocal IOLs have been available for years and have been widely accepted by many surgeons, there’s still a significant percentage of surgeons in the U.S. and worldwide who feel somewhat uncomfortable with these lenses for a variety of reasons,” she said. Some may be reluctant because they are simply unaware of the pros and cons associated with multifocal lenses, or they may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of the lenses. Study authors thought that a review paper that discussed the indications and contraindications of the multifocal lenses would be helpful, especially for those who have no experience or limited experience with the lenses, Dr. Henderson said. Dr. Hoffman said the Committee selected this topic because of a hesitancy of many ophthalmologists to use multifocal IOLs due to their high demands. “By mapping out the approaches for utilizing these lenses, including the preoperative management and selection of patients, who is a good versus bad candidate, and the surgical demands in regard to angle kappa, preexisting astigmatism, and complication management, the Committee was hoping that more surgeons would feel comfortable utilizing this technology in more of their patients,” he said. “There is such a large selection of intraocular lenses and options in continued on page 30