Optimising image quality with EyeMax Mono lens in dry age-related macular degeneration

To investigate clinical outcomes in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after intracapsular implantation of a novel EyeMax Mono macular lens.

In this study, 22 phakic eyes of 19 moderate to advanced dry AMD patients with macular disciform scar and/or macular atrophy who were followed up for ≥ 3 months after surgery were studied. A thorough pre-operative ophthalmological examination was performed, including measurement of corrected distance visual acuity in logMAR and ETDR. Following phacoemulsification, the EyeMax Mono lens was implanted intracapsularly via a 2.2-mm clear corneal incision to improve retinal image quality in all areas of the macula ≤ 10° from the central fovea. Main outcome measures included optimisation of corrected distance visual acuity and surgical safety.

Male-to-female ratio was 13:6. Mean age at surgery was 68.37 ± 10.23 years. The mean duration of post-operative follow-up was 7.91 ± 3.42 months. The mean post-operative refractive spherical equivalent improved to + 2.31 ± 1.56 D with significant visual improvement as early as 3 months post-operatively. Post-operative corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly from 1.05 ± 0.45 to 0.72 ± 0.43 logMAR (P < 0.001), equivalent to mean ETDRS of 49.55 ± 20.05 (P < 0.001). There were no major surgical complications, either intra- or post-operatively, except in two patients who experienced intra-operative haptic rupture.

Extended macular vision lenses appear to have a comparable safety profile as standard IOLs in the short to medium term. It could be the preferred lens for improving and preserving visual acuity in moderate to advanced dry AMD patients.