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See what doctors are saying about the new AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL

The AcrySof^® IQ Toric lens takes precise astigmatism correction to the next level, with the enhanced image quality of an aspheric lens. We asked industry leaders about the potential impact of an aspheric toric lens, and how IOL innovation will shape the future of cataract surgery.

What role do you believe IOL innovation plays in advancing the field of cataract surgery? Where do you see IOL technology heading in the future?

Bonnie Henderson

Bonnie A. Henderson, MD
Biography

Bonnie A. Henderson, MD

Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Bonnie A. Henderson, MD is a widely recognized expert in cataract surgery and specializes in complicated anterior segment surgery. Dr. Henderson’s research has involved cataract surgery outcomes and innovative methods of teaching.

Dr. Henderson is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. She and her co-investigators have developed a novel computer program to teach cataract surgery to trainees. She is also the developer of an ophthalmic device to provide stability in complicated cataract cases.

Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center

The recent innovations in IOL technology have been some of the most exciting advances in ophthalmology to date. We had previously accepted the loss of near vision and the need for spectacles after cataract surgery as necessary byproducts of pseudophakia. Now that we have the ability to offer patients improved postoperative vision by greatly diminishing their spherical correction, astigmatism, aberration, and presbyopia, the level of satisfaction after surgery is at an all-time high.

The new AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL is a perfect example of how technology continues to improve: Start with a great base lens like the one-piece acrylic AcrySof^® IOL, add to that a blue light filter, then the ability to correct astigmatism, and now the ability to reduce aberration by adding the aspheric platform.

Warren Hill

Warren E. Hill, MD
Biography

Warren E. Hill, MD

East Valley Ophthalmology
Mesa, Arizona

Warren E. Hill, MD has been the Medical Director of East Valley Ophthalmology for the past 22 years, specializing in consultative ophthalmology, challenging anterior segment surgery for other ophthalmologists, intraocular lens power calculations and diagnostic ophthalmic ultrasonography.

A recognized expert in the field, Dr. Hill serves as consultant to the industry in the field of intraocular lens mathematics and intraocular lens design, and was voted “One of the Top 50 Opinion Leaders in Cataract and Refractive Surgery” by the readership of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today in 2005 and 2006.

East Valley Ophthalmology

The goal of Sir Harold Ridley [pioneer of the intraocular lens] was to put an artificial version of the crystalline lens back into the eye at the time of cataract surgery. As each year passes, we have come closer to meeting his original objective. The promise of IOL technology for the future is to move beyond simple duplication, to a point where lens-based technology becomes a tool to simultaneously solve other issues.

Samuel Masket

Samuel Masket, MD
Biography

Samuel Masket, MD

Advanced Vision Care
Los Angeles, California

Samuel Masket, MD has practiced ophthalmic surgery since 1977. While maintaining a very active practice, Dr. Masket is also heavily involved in clinical research, academics, and the teaching of eye surgery.

Dr. Masket has published extensively on eye surgery and serves on the editorial boards of several journals and is the Consultation Section editor of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He recently published a textbook, The Atlas of Cataract Surgery, regarding the current state of cataract and related surgery.

Advanced Vision Care

Innovational advances in IOL technology provide patients with ever-improving quality of vision under a variety of circumstances. Moreover, the goal of spectacle independence is attained by more patients as a result of these technologic advances.

We are moving closer and closer to freedom from glasses for almost all patients requiring cataract surgery, or for those individuals who simply wish to be free of eyeglasses at all ranges of vision.

Robert Osher

Robert H. Osher, MD
Biography

Robert H. Osher, MD

Cincinnati Eye Institute
Cincinnati, Ohio

Robert H. Osher, MD served as Medical Director of Cincinnati Eye Institute for 20 years. He is a Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Dr. Osher has achieved worldwide recognition as a leader in cataract surgery. In addition to developing new techniques, he has designed many of the contemporary intraocular lenses and instruments used in cataract surgery. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from AAO and the Cornelius D. Binkhorst Medal of Honor from ASCRS. In April, he will receive The Charles D. Kelman Innovator’s Award in San Francisco.

Cincinnati Eye Institute

In my three decades of cataract surgery, the three most fabulous IOL advances have been the soft lens, the multifocal lens and the toric lens. As far as I’m concerned, the dream of refractive cataract surgery has been realized.

TOPICS:

What role do you believe IOL innovation plays in advancing the field of cataract surgery? Where do you see IOL technology heading in the future?

What qualities are most important to you in a toric lens? How does asphericity fit into those needs?

How do you think the addition of asphericity to the AcrySof^® Toric IOL will affect patient outcomes?

What are the surgical benefits of an aspheric toric lens like AcrySof^® IQ Toric?

What effect do you think an aspheric toric lens like AcrySof^® IQ Toric will have on your practice?

New Technology Intraocular Lens (NTIOL) is a status given to lenses that provide patients with improved technology and new clinical benefits. As a member of the “Reduced Spherical Aberration” category established by CMS on February 27, 2006, Alcon’s AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL recently received NTIOL status.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers are eligible to receive a payment adjustment of an additional $50 when AcrySof^® IQ Toric is used in cataract surgery on a Medicare beneficiary. This additional payment is effective through February 27, 2011.

Alcon is proud to develop the innovations that help shape the future of cataract surgery.

For more information, contact Alcon Reimbursement Services.

For more information on CMS and NTIOL, visit the CMS NTIOL Payment Page.

RESOURCES

	AcrySof^® IQ Toric Brochure Get the facts on AcrySof^® IQ Toric, including specs and studies.
	AcrySof^® IQ Toric Quick Guide Get up to speed on AcrySof^® IQ Toric with brief info, surgical considerations, and more.
	AcrySof^® IQ Toric Directions for Use Download the full technical specifications of the AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL.
	AcrySof^® IQ Toric A-Constant FAQ Calculate a personalized A-Constant for AcrySof^® IQ Toric.
	AcrySof^® IQ Toric Patient Education Brochure Provide your patients with more information on cataract surgery and premium IOLs.
	AcrySof^® IQ Toric Calculator Makes precise surgical planning easy.

Where the Best Micro-Surgical Components Come Together as One

As part of the INTREPID^® Micro-Coaxial System, AcrySof^® IOLs offer advanced optics on a proven platform, to provide excellent ease of implantation and proven patient benefits.

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Copyright © 2009 Alcon, Inc., a global company based in Hünenberg, Switzerland. Information contained here pertains to Alcon’s global operations and Alcon’s global product line. Not all products are approved in every market and approved labeling and instructions may vary by local country.

Currently AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL is only available in the United States.

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. INDICATIONS: AcrySof^® IQ Toric IOL Models SN6AT3, SN6AT4, and SN6AT5 Posterior Chamber Intraocular lenses are intended for primary implantation in the capsular bag of the eye for the visual correction of aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism secondary to the removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with or without presbyopia, who desire improved uncorrected distance vision, reduction of residual refractive cylinder and increased spectacle independence for distance vision. WARNINGS: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefit ratio before implanting a lens in a patient with any of the conditions described in the Directions for Use labeling. Toric IOLs should not be implanted if the posterior capsule is ruptured, if the zonules are damaged, or if a primary posterior capsulotomy is planned. Rotation can reduce astigmatic correction; if necessary lens repositioning should occur as early as possible prior to lens encapsulation. All viscoelastics should be removed from both the anterior and posterior sides of the lens; residual viscoelastics may allow the lens to rotate. PRECAUTIONS: Studies have shown that color vision discrimination is not adversely affected in individuals with the AcrySof^® Natural IOL and normal color vision. The effect on vision of the AcrySof^® Natural IOL in subjects with hereditary color vision defects and acquired color vision defects secondary to ocular disease (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, chronic uveitis, and other retinal or optic nerve diseases) has not been studied. Do not resterilize; do not store over 45° C; use only sterile irrigating solutions such as BSS^® or BSS PLUS^® Sterile Intraocular Irrigating Solutions. ATTENTION: Reference the Directions for Use labeling for a complete listing of indications, warnings and precautions.