Corneal inlay proves safe, effective and reversible option for presbyopes

The KAMRA inlay (AcuFocus) is an effective, safe and reversible technique for the long-term surgical treatment of presbyopia, states a 4-year follow-up study featured in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr O.F. Yilmaz et al., Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, developed a clinical trial including 39 presbyopic phakic patients aged 45 to 60 years. Patients had an initial uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) of 20/40 or worse, this was correctable to 20/25 or better at distance.

After the LASIK flap was created or relifted the KAMRA inlay was implanted on the stromal bed and centred on the presurgical position of the first Purkinje reflex. Distance and near vision and the complication rate were measured.

It was found that 5 patients experienced cataract progression, 2 had a change in refractive status and there were no severe corneal complications or intraoperative complications during cataract extraction.

At a mean final UNVA of 20/20 all patients demonstrated an improvement in UNVA of 2 lines or more- with minimum loss in distance vision. In all eyes uncorrected distance acuity was 20/40 or better and it was recorded that 96% of patients could read J3 or better.