Apthera IOL Intraocular Lens Implants

Are you thinking about getting cataract surgery? Marietta Eye Clinic offers lens replacement with Apthera Intraocular Lenses (IOL). These revolutionary intraocular lenses use small aperture technology to help you see clearly at a range of distances. Let’s look at the intraocular lenses and the IC-8^® Apthera™ lens and how it can benefit your vision.

What Are Intraocular Lenses?

Intraocular lenses are lenses that are permanently inserted into your eyes as a replacement for your natural lenses. They are usually made out of silicone, acrylic or a plastic composition and given a UV coating to help protect your eyes against the harmful rays of the sun. There are several different types of IOLs.

• Monofocal – Provides a single vision of near, intermediate or distant. Most people choose near or far distance and must wear glasses in order to see close up or far away, depending on the type of correction they choose.
• Multifocal – Provides distant and near vision due to having multiple prescriptions in the lens.
• Extended-Depth – These lenses provide both near and distant vision with an extended corrective zone, which means individuals may not have to put as much effort into switching between near and far objects.
• Accommodative – These lenses are extremely versatile as they can change shape inside the individual’s eye, resulting in the ability to see clearly at various distances.
• Toric – These lenses are similar to toric contact lenses. They help light focus correctly on the back of the eye by correcting the refractive error caused by having an oddly shaped cornea or lens.

What Are Apthera Intraocular Lenses?

The Apthera Intraocular Lenses contain a technology called a FilterRing™. This FilterRing contains small aperture technology that can help light focus better on the back of your eye. This is different than a standard replacement lens, which contains large aperture technology that is designed to help you see at one distance, usually near, intermediate or far away. Additionally, the Apthera lens can correct up to 1.5D of astigmatism.

How Do I Know if the Apthera Lens Is Right for Me?

If you’re considering cataract surgery, the Apthera IC-8 Lens may be right for you if you’re over the age of 22, have a low level of astigmatism and have operable cataracts with no personal history or family history of retinal disease and no medical conditions that would put you at an increased risk of developing retinal disease. For individuals who receive the Apthera IC-8 Lens, many experience clear vision and improved visual acuity for near and intermediate distances in both bright and low-light conditions. If the Apthera IC-8 Lens sounds right for you, our cataract surgeons can provide you with an in-depth consultation and eye exam to help you decide if cataract surgery and the Apthera IC-8 Lens would benefit you.

What can I Expect if I Choose to Get the Apthera IOL?

There are three general phases to lens replacement surgery, including before the surgery, during the surgery and afterward.

Phase One: The Evaluation and Lens and Retina Technology

When you choose the IC-8 Apthera lens, you are choosing the most advanced lens replacement option on the market today. However, you’ll still need to be evaluated to determine if you’re a good candidate. In general, individuals are considered good candidates if over the age of 22, have been approved for cataract surgery and don’t have any preexisting retinal disease or a family or personal history that would put them at an increased risk for experiencing a retinal disease in the future.

If you are a good candidate for cataract surgery, you’ll be given a list of pre-operative instructions that will tell you how to prepare for the surgery.

Phase Two: The Lens Implant Surgery

Your surgery date is usually two to four weeks after your initial consultation and evaluation. On the day of your surgery, you will need to get a ride to and from the cataract surgery center. This is because you won’t be able to see well enough to drive yourself home, and you will be given a local anesthetic to help you relax.

During the intraocular lens implant surgery, a small incision is cut into your eye. This incision allows the eye surgeon to remove your old, cloudy lens and insert the new IOL. There are three ways to remove your natural lens, including:

• Phacoemulsification – Uses ultrasound to break apart the cataract, and suction is used to remove the pieces.
• Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery – “FLACS” is laser-assisted cataract surgery. During this surgery, the laser creates the incision, opens the lens capsule and breaks apart the natural lens of the eye so that it can be removed.
• Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) – If your cataracts are mature, the eye surgeon may recommend extracapsular cataract extraction. This technique is performed by the cataract surgeon. He or she will make the incision, open the front capsule that contains your natural lens and remove it in one piece. If there are any smaller pieces left behind, they are removed via suction.

Once your natural lens has been removed, the new IOL will be inserted. The incision made to remove the old lens is typically very small, and it will heal on its own without stitches. Once your surgery is complete, most people start to see clearer within one to three days.

Phase Three: Your Refreshed Vision with the IC-8 Apthera Lens

It can take between three and 12 weeks for your eyes to fully heal and for you to achieve the maximum vision correction with your new Apthera IOL. It’s important to note that if you need cataract surgery in both eyes, those surgeries will be performed on separate days, usually a few weeks apart.

What Can I Expect to Pay for the IC-8 Apthera IOL?

Cataract surgery costs typically range between $3,500 and $5,500 per eye. The exact costs of the surgery will be dependent on the type of lens and the type of surgery. Having vision insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, and if you have an FSA or an HSA, you can use those accounts to pay for some of the expenses. At Marietta Eye Clinic, we also offer a payment plan through CareCredit that can help make the cost of cataract surgery more affordable.

Are Apthera Intraocular Lenses Safe?

The Apthera IC-8 Lens is considered safe and effective and was approved in 2022 by the FDA. It’s important to note that individuals are considered good candidates if they are 22 years of age or older and do not have any medical or eye conditions that could increase the risk of complications. Most people experience glare and rings or halos around lights, starbursts and faded colors. It’s also important to pay attention to any signs of infection after the surgery. If you experience any of these issues, it’s important to talk to our eye doctor at Marietta Eye Clinic.

What Clinical Trials Were Performed on the IC-8 Apthera Lens?

In order to be approved by the FDA, the Apthera IC-8 Lens had to go through clinical trials to prove that it could correct near and intermediate vision safely and effectively. The primary study involved a group of 453 individuals. This study was started on December 4, 2018, and completed on October 15, 2020. It was non-randomized and controlled with two groups. One group received a standard monofocal lens in one eye and the Apthera IC-8 Lens in the other eye. The second group received monofocal lenses in both eyes. After the surgeries, both groups were monitored for effectiveness. At the six-month mark, the group that received the Apthera IC-8 Lens reported better near and intermediate vision than the group that received two monofocal lenses.

The FDA approved the Apthera IC-8 Lens for use in individuals who are at least 22 years of age and have been diagnosed with bilateral operable cataracts with up to 1.5D of astigmatism. Individuals must not have a history of retinal disease and must not be at an increased risk of developing a retinal disease. If the individual meets the criteria, they can receive an Apthera IC-8 Lens in their non-dominant eye after they’ve already received a traditional monofocal or toric lens in their dominant eye.

Will I Need Contact Lenses or Glasses After the Surgery?

Many people no longer need glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery. However, this depends on the type of lens you receive. Typically, individuals who receive monofocal lenses still need to wear glasses or contact lenses in order to see up close or at a distance. Individuals who receive multifocal or the Apthera IC-8 Lens are less likely to need glasses or contacts after their surgery.

Dr. Wilkin and the IC-8 Apthera Lens

Dr Justin Wilkin and Marietta Eye Clinic Staff – Apthera IOL IC-8 Lens insertion.

Dr. Justin Wilkin of Marietta Eye Clinic was one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to insert the IC-8 Apthera lens from Bausch & Lomb Surgical to correct cataracts in a patient. The Apthera lens is a great advancement in lens replacement technology because it corrects low levels of astigmatism while giving the wearer a clear range of vision from near to distant. It also means that Dr. Wilkin can answer your questions about the IC-8 Apthera lens, including what to expect before, during and after surgery.

How do I Learn More about Getting the Apthera IC-8 Lens at Marietta Eye Clinic?

If you’re interested in getting the Apthera IC-8 Lens as one of your replacement lenses during your cataract surgery, schedule an appointment with a skilled eye surgeon at Marietta Eye Clinic or call 678-784-0235 to speak with us about scheduling your initial consultation and eye exam.