Alcon debuts AcrySof IQ PanOptix trifocal IOL to U.S. market

With FDA approval in hand, Alcon has kicked off the initial commercial launch of the AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL, the first and only trifocal lens for U.S. patients undergoing cataract surgery.

The novel IOL has been clinically demonstrated to offer patients a combination of near, intermediate, and distance vision while reducing the need for glasses after surgery, according to a prepared statement.

Already available in more than 70 countries, PanOptix has been shown to deliver a combination of near, intermediate and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery, said the statement. It meets the needs of today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high- quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions.

In a clinical study at 12 U.S. sites, more than 99% of PanOptix patients said they would choose the lens again. Available in spherical and toric designs, PanOptix is built on Alcon’s proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally, said the company.

New class of IOLs

“We are proud to bring this new class of IOLs to the largest eye care market in the world,” said David J. Endicott, chief executive officer of Alcon. “We are leveraging Alcon’s years of experience with PanOptix in other countries to provide the best possible training and support for U.S. surgeons. Our goal is to ensure optimal outcomes for cataract patients looking to correct their vision at all distances, with the vast majority of them never needing to wear glasses post-surgery.”

More than 4 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States, which is projected to increase by more than 16% by the end of 2024.^1,2

The presbyopia-correcting IOL market is expected to grow 60% by the end of 2024.²

Kerry Solomon, MD, Carolina Eyecare Physicians, PanOptix clinical trial investigator, said the ophthalmology community has been awaiting FDA approval of PanOptix.

“While participating in the clinical trial, I saw first-hand the impact of this lens on my patients,” Dr. Solomon said. “We know patients undergoing cataract surgery today want a replacement lens that delivers the vision they need to live full, active lives without always being dependent on glasses.”

According to Alcon, it plans to begin training ophthalmologists in the United States and making the PanOptix and PanOptix toric IOLs available throughout the rest of the year and into early 2020. It will also launch a dedicated PanOptix website and multimedia awareness campaign.

Special launch activities are slated for the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Oct. 12 to 15, in San Francisco.

References:

1 Market Scope. 2017 Ophthalmic Surgical Instrument Report.

2 Market Scope. 2019 IOL Market Report. April 2019.