Patients with symptoms of presbyopia at the time of cataract surgery can expect to achieve excellent vision at all distances with both lenses.
By Gustavo Alberto Goldman, MD
Presbyopia can be addressed at the time of cataract surgery with monovision, multifocal and trifocal IOLs, and accommodating IOLs. Lens selection is crucial to ensure patient satisfaction after surgery, and cataract surgeons today have myriad IOL designs to choose from. In my experience, one promising presbyopia-correcting lens design is the Intensity (Hanita Lenses), which aims to maximize light efficiency for clear, uninterrupted vision across the entire range of functional vision. I have transitioned to using the Intensity IOL in a variety of cataract surgery cases, and my results have been extremely positive.
BACKGROUND
I was introduced to Hanita IOLs approximately 7 years ago. At the time, the company representative I met with explained the advantages of Hanita’s aspheric monofocal IOLs. Immediately, I was drawn to the characteristics of the lenses, and I started implanting them regularly.
From my experience with Hanita’s aspheric monofocal IOLs, I came to expect excellent results with all of the company’s IOL designs, and I haven’t been disappointed. That is why I had no reservations transitioning to the Intensity in 2020 when it became available in Argentina, where I practice. In my experience thus far, patients achieve not only excellent distance, intermediate, and near vision but also the same level of excellent vision in between these ranges as well.
OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNOLOGY
The Intensity is available in multifocal and multifocal toric versions. Both lenses incorporate Dynamic Light Utilization (DLU) technology. The optical configuration of the Intensity is divided into three zones to provide exceptional light efficiency and high visual acuity at all distances and lighting conditions. The 12 smooth steps of different heights on the lens radius (maximum step height, 3.6 µm) create five foci symmetrically distributed around zero order at intermediate distance. This system ensures that the refractive focus is concentrated on intermediate vision.
The high light efficiency of the Intensity provides extra energy to the visual system. Combined with the distribution of the five foci, the light efficiency of the IOL flattens the defocus curve, reduces visual gaps present with other presbyopia-correcting IOLs, and creates continuous vision in all distances and lighting conditions.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE INTENSITY
As I mentioned, I started implanting the Intensity in 2020, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, I was able to perform many phacorefractive surgical procedures on patients who were interested in achieving spectacle independence. For every patient, a thorough examination was performed and a preoperative consultation conducted to discuss their lifestyle and visual needs. This helped me to share with patients what IOL designs I believe would be most appropriate for them. From there, patients could make educated decisions on what IOL they would like to receive. Many times, the Intensity was the IOL of choice.
One of the nice things about the Intensity is that it has a similar design and the same injector system that is used with other Hanita lenses. My learning curve with the IOL, therefore, was very short. It was easy to get started using the Intensity. From the very beginning of my experience, the results were excellent. Patients achieved excellent UCVA, especially with intermediate and near distances. Over time, I optimized my own A constant and results with distance vision got even better.
Patients have reported no visual side effects such as glare and halos, and most can perform a full range of daily activities without requiring spectacle correction. They have been satisfied with their visual results. Also in my experience, patients do not suffer from much loss of contrast sensitivity with the Intensity IOL.
MORE ON THE INTENSITY TORIC
A toric version of the Intensity is now available. Because it is a new lens, my experience with this IOL is limited. I will say, however, that the lens’ plate-haptic design promotes exceptional stability in the capsular bag. In my experience, the Intensity Toric is almost impossible to rotate postoperatively.
CONCLUSION
Hanita is a company that is dedicated to designing innovative IOLs that can provide patients with an excellent range of focus at all distances. Most patients achieve spectacle independence for a variety of tasks with the Intensity IOL.
The novel design of the Intensity, which incorporates DLU technology and five foci symmetrically distributed around zero order at intermediate distance, enhances the light efficiency of the IOL to provide crisp and uninterrupted vision across the entire range of functional vision. It is a wonderful option for patients who want to achieve spectacle independence after surgery.
Gustavo Alberto Goldman, MD
Director, Belgrano Ophthalmological Clinic, Argentina
