Health Canada approves
TECNIS® Symfony Extended Range of Vision intraocular
lens
TORONTO, Sept. 16 2015 /CNW/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT)
announced today it received Health Canada's approval of the
TECNIS® Symfony Extended Range of Vision intraocular
lens (IOL) for the treatment of people with cataracts who may also
have a diminished ability to focus on near objects (presbyopia). It
is the first and only extended range of vision IOL to correct
presbyopia and help people with cataracts see better at all
distances, including far, intermediate and near, and points in
between, with decreased need for glasses.1,2
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the natural lens of the eye
that prevents light from reaching the retina.3 More than
2.5 million Canadians have cataracts.4 The
incidence of cataracts increases with age from about 12 per cent at
age 50, to 60 per cent at age 70.5 In general,
approximately 50 per cent of Canadians 65 years of age or older
have cataracts.6
"The availability of the TECNIS Symfony IOL is welcome news for
many of my patients," said Sheldon
Herzig, M.D, co-founder and medical director, Herzig Eye
Institute, Toronto. "The new lens
effectively improves both near and distance vision without glasses
following cataract surgery, while maintaining excellent night
vision. Eliminating the need for reading glasses has been one of my
patients' greatest needs and has a significant impact on their
quality of life."
Traditionally after cataract surgery, people may still require
eyeglasses.7, 8 However, a clinical study of 31 people
who had the TECNIS Symfony IOL implanted showed 70 per cent of them
reporting rarely or never requiring wearing glasses. One hundred
per cent of people who had the lens implanted reported they did not
need to wear glasses for seeing objects at distance, while 94 per
cent and 87 per cent of people reported the same results at
intermediate and near distances, respectively.9
The TECNIS Symfony lens differs from traditional technologies
with its unique design that elongates the eye's focus across a
continuous range of distances, without sacrificing a person's
visual clarity or contrast. The IOL is designed to be placed in the
lens capsule of the eye, replacing the natural crystalline lens
that has been removed because of a
cataract.10,11,12,13
"We are pleased to offer the new TECNIS Symfony Extended Range
of Vision IOL for people with cataracts who want a full range of
vision," said Leonard Borrmann,
divisional vice president, research and development for Abbott's
vision business. "Many people in need of cataract surgery want to
lead active lives, drive regularly, and use computers and mobile
devices. Abbott is focused on developing new technologies that not
only improve sight, but help people maintain the most active
healthy lifestyles possible."
About Cataracts
The lens of a healthy eye is normally clear. Cataracts can vary
from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that
cause a noticeable blurring of vision.14
Common signs associated with advanced cataracts include: blurred
or hazy vision that can't be improved by changing glasses
prescriptions; a feeling of a film over the eyes that doesn't go
away with blinking; a temporary change in distance and/or near
vision; and an increased sensitivity to glare, especially at
night.15
The most common cause of cataracts is aging. Other causes
include heredity, an injury or a disease, excessive exposure to
ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight, cigarette smoke or the
use of certain medications.16
About Abbott:
At Abbott, we're committed to helping you live your best
possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years,
we've brought new products and technologies to the world -- in
nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic
pharmaceuticals -- that create more possibilities for more people
at all stages of life. Today, 73,000 of us are working to help
people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150
countries we serve.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com,* on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/Abbott* and on Twitter @AbbottNews and
@AbbottGlobal.
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References
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1.
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168 Data on File.
Symfony Simulated Defocus Curves
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2.
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166 Data on File.
Extended Range of Vision IOL 3-Month Study Results (NZ)
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3.
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PHAC. Diabetes in
Canada: Facts and figures from a public health perspective.
Available from:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/publications/diabetes-diabete/facts-figures-faits-chiffres-2011/glossary-glossaire-eng.php
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4.
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CNIB. Cataracts – A
Leading Cause of Vision Loss. Available from:
http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/eye-conditions/cataracts/pages/default.aspx
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5.
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Health Quality
Ontario. Intraocular Lenses for the Treatment of Age-Related
Cataracts 2009. Available from:
http://www.hqontario.ca/english/providers/program/mas/tech/reviews/pdf/rev_cataract_20090929.pdf.
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6.
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Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Trends in Vision and Hearing Among Older
Americans. Available from:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ahcd/agingtrends/02vision.pdf.
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7.
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WebMD. Cataract
Surgery. Available from:
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/extracapsular-surgery-for-cataracts.
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8.
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NHS Choices. Cataract
Surgery. Available at:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cataract-surgery/Pages/Introduction.aspx.
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9.
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166 Data on File.
Extended Range of Vision IOL 3-Month Study Results (NZ)
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10.
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http://www.tecnisiol.com/eu/tecnis-symfony-iol.htm
*
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11.
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166 Data on File.
Extended Range of Vision IOL 3-Month Study Results (NZ)
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12.
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168 Data on file.
Symfony Simulated Defocus Curves
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13.
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Artal, P., Manzanera,
S., Piers, P., & Weeber, H. (2010). Visual effect of the
combined correction of spherical and longitudinal chromatic
aberrations. Opt Express, 18 (2), 1637-1648
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14.
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Doctors of Optometry
Canada. Cataracts. Available from:
http://doctorsofoptometry.ca/cataracts/
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15.
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Ibid.
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16.
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Ibid.
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*Not all products and
information on these websites are approved in Canada.
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Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266979
SOURCE Abbott