With patients living longer, leading more active lives, and becoming increasingly discerning about their healthcare choices, Johnson & Johnson Vision hopes its new Tecnis Synergy intraocular lens will withstand the test of time.
Figure 1. Proportion of patients achieving visual acuity of 20/25 (0.1 logMAR) or better at near, intermediate, and far distances with the Tecnis Synergy IOL at six months.
Abbreviations: BCDVA = best-corrected distance visual acuity; DCIVA = distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity; DCNVA = distance-corrected near visual acuity; UIVA = uncorrected intermediate visual acuity;
UNVA = uncorrected near visual acuity.6
Johnson & Johnson Vision (J&JV) has launched a new intraocular lens (IOL) that is designed to deliver continuous high-contrast vision from far through near, even in low-light conditions.1,2
Now available in Australia and New Zealand, the TECNIS SynergyTM IOL combines diffractive technology from Tecnis Multifocal and Tecnis Symfony IOLs in what the company describes as a “breakthrough innovation”.
J&JV anticipates the new lens will meet the changing visual needs of patients as they age. Time research shows those aged 55–64 years are more likely to spend time participating in sports, exercise and recreation, socialising and communicating. This compares with individuals 75 years or older who spend a greater proportion of their leisure time on near-vision activities, such as reading.3
The majority of cataract patients belong to the baby boomer generation – individuals born between 1946 and 1964 – and they typically have a higher desire than ever before to achieve visual outcomes that will enable them to remain active, youthful, and independent as they age.
With higher levels of education and easier access to information about technological advances, these patients also demand a greater level of accountability from health care providers and actively research health products and medical devices to make informed decisions.4,5
For cataract surgeons, the challenge is to provide cataract patients with solutions that maintain good distance vision while addressing their rapidly changing needs and preferences.
A further challenge is that, due to patients’ increasing life expectancy, decisions made at the time of cataract removal have long-term implications, with many patients living several decades after cataract removal.4
Tom Frinzi, Worldwide President, Surgical, J&JV, believes the Tecnis Synergy IOL provides a solution to these challenges.
“With Tecnis Synergy IOL, we have created our most advanced IOL solution yet, which gives patients the clear, continuous range of vision they want, day and night,” he said.
Although it’s early days, Sydney cataract surgeon Dr Con Moshegov said the Tecnis Synergy IOL looks promising. “
With small numbers and short follow up, I don’t want to overstate anything about the Synergy just yet. However… it’s looking very good,” he said adding, “With the Tecnis Synergy IOL, seeing computer screens, dashboards, sheets of music and people’s faces across a small table is easy.”
Auckland ophthalmologist Dr Dean Corbett said the Synergy “provides a greater likelihood of complete spectacle freedom”. However, he noted that with the Synergy IOL, like other lifestyle IOLs, the compromise is that patients will also experience dysphotopsias, such as night halo patterns.
CLINICAL PERFORMANCE STUDY RESULTS
A six-month, prospective, multicentre, bilateral, randomised, subject/evaluator masked clinical study was conducted at 12 sites in the US (N = 229) to evaluate the clinical performance of the Tecnis Synergy IOL.6
The mean best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) with the Tecnis Synergy IOL was -0.006 logMAR (20/20 Snellen), indicating that the lens provides highquality vision. More than 90% of patients achieved corrected visual acuity of 20/25 (0.1 logMAR) or better at near, intermediate, and far distances (Figure 1).
Analysis of the binocular defocus curve showed the Tecnis Synergy IOL provided visual acuity of 20/25 (0.1 logMAR) or better at defocus levels of 0.0D (representing optical infinity), -1.5D (66cm), – 2.5D (40cm), and -3.0 D (33cm) (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Binocular defocus curve of the Tecnis Synergy IOL at six months.
Abbreviations: LogMAR = logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution.7
The study authors reported, “These data demonstrate that the Tecnis Synergy IOL provides continuous 20/25 vision or better from far through near distances and consistently delivers on patients’ dynamic near needs as they move between print and digital media. Furthermore, clinical data indicate that the Tecnis Synergy IOL delivers uncompromised distance vision, allowing patients to enjoy distance activities such as movies and sports.
“Notably, the defocus curves were not different between patients with medium (i.e., >2.5mm to 4.0mm) and those with large (i.e., ≥ 4.0mm) pupils. Additionally, contrast sensitivity of patients with the Tecnis Synergy IOL was independent of pupil size (i.e., >2.5 to <4.0 mm or ≥ 4.0mm) or lighting conditions (i.e., photopic or mesopic). Taken collectively, these data show that the Tecnis Synergy IOL delivers high quality vision under all lighting conditions, enabling patients to participate in activities in dimly lit conditions, such as reading a menu at a restaurant or driving at night.”
J&JV has stated that it is continuing to analyse spectacle independence with the Tecnis Synergy IOL, along with patient satisfaction in high and low light conditions, quality of vision in far, intermediate and near distances, and ergonomics of reading.
“As ophthalmic pioneers, we continue to challenge ourselves on a daily basis to create solutions to the ever-changing needs of patients. We continue to stay true to our legacy of innovation with the introduction of Tecnis Synergy IOL, which we believe will redefine the industry standard for IOL quality and performance,” Mr Frinzi said.
References
- DOF2019OTH4003 – Clinical Investigation of the Tecnis Next-Generation IOL Model ZFR00 (Tecnis Synergy IOL): 6-Month POC Data. 23 Apr 2019.
- DOF2019OTH4002 – Weeber H. MTF of the Tecnis Synergy OptiBlue IOL, and other lens models. 27 Mar 2019.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018) American time use survey – 2017 results. Available at: www.bls.gov/news. release/pdf/atus.pdf; Accessed: March 6, 2019.
- Banks I, Bellucci R, Pande M, Guell JL (2013) Healthcare and active ageing: Patient Choice in Cataract Care. Available at: www.medtecheurope.org/wp- content/ uploads/2013/07/14062013_MTE_-Patient-Choice-incataract- care_PositionPaper.pdf; Accessed: May 21, 2019.
- LeRouge CM, Tao D, Ohs J, Lach HW, Jupka K et al. (2014) Challenges and Opportunities with Empowering Baby Boomers for Personal Health Information Management Using Consumer Health Information Technologies: an Ecological Perspective. AIMS Public Health 1 (3): 160-181.
- Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision Inc. (2019) Clinical investigation of the Tecnis Next Generation IOL Model ZFR00. DOF2019OTH4003.
- Johnson & Johnson Vision (2019b) Tecnis Synergy full range IOL, Speaker Deck. PP2019OTH4205.
