Is the PanOptix Pro Lens Right for You? Benefits and Considerations

The premium Clareon PanOptix Pro IOL (intraocular lens) has hit the market surrounded by hype. With advertising promoting that the lens gives outstanding vision at near, mid, and far distances, as well as freedom from glasses in all light conditions, it’s no wonder that you might be wondering if the extra cost might be well worth it.

Well, the short answer is… it just might be. As a world-leading academic cataract surgical facility, the West Boca Eye Center is often able to offer advanced IOLs to its patients well before they become more mainstream. But to do this, we need to have an intimate knowledge of the pros and the cons so we can advise whether such a lens might be right for you.

Naturally, the PanOptix Lens won’t be suitable for everyone. So, let’s go ahead and look at the good and the bad, which includes any potential PanOptix Pro side effects as well as the headline points that Alcon, the company that produces the lens, wants you to focus on.

The PanOptix Pro Lens Benefits, Disadvantages, & Everything In-Between…

When we look at the PanOptix Pro vs a traditional IOL, the greatest difference is that it’s what’s called trifocal. Whereas the latter is fashioned with a single prescription (usually for far vision), the PanOptix has three built into it. This allows for focused vision at near, mid, and far distances. It’s not the first lens to offer such technology—far from it. But the biggest side effect of trifocal IOLs has been that many people experienced visual distortions after having them implanted, namely:

• Seeing halos around a light source.
• Issues with glare.
• Starbursts, which are similar to halos but are seen as spikes or rays radiating from a light source.

These are caused by what’s termed, “light scatter”, which is where the lens itself prevents the light from running straight and true from the front of the eye, through the center, and being delivered to the retina at the back. Any deviation of this pathway causes it to deviate—or scatter—creating unwanted visual effects.

One of the greatest PanOptix Pro lens benefits is that Alcon (the manufacturer of the lens) has created the technology to dramatically reduce such phenomena, with only 0.8% of patients experiencing glare, 1.4% with halos, and 2.6% bothered by starbursts. While these figures are still significant, they’re much lower than with some other trifocal lenses. Patients who’ve had them implanted are, in general, happy with the outcome.

This all sounds great, we’re sure you’ll agree. But while the lens has managed to solve what has been one of the biggest issues of trifocal lenses, it isn’t suitable for everyone (sorry!).

Your cataract surgeon will advise regarding your unique situation but, in general, the PanOptix Pro won’t be an option for anyone who:

• Has any type of retinal condition: This includes diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or any previous retinal surgery.
• Has any condition that affects the cornea: Such as high astigmatism, dry eye, keratoconus, and corneal ulcers. 
• Suffers from advanced glaucoma: Which is high pressure within the eye that affects the optic nerve.
• Has a significantly irregular eye anatomy: Although everyone’s eyes are unique, a trifocal lens (indeed, any premium lens) must be able to sit centrally within the eye. Any tilting or decentralization will cause visual disturbances.
• Has significant other health issues: Including diabetes or anything that potentially affects the retina or other areas of the eyes.

Realistically, this rules out a lot of people. In such cases, your surgeon will discuss the best type of IOL, which may be a monofocal lens with eyeglasses or contacts for close-up vision, such as reading.

However, if you’re in generally good health and are keen for a life with reduced or, potentially, zero dependence on eyeglasses or contacts, then the PanOptix Pro lens could be a good choice.

The West Boca Eye Center is passionate about selecting the correct lens that suits both your wishes and your unique requirements. With a dedicated cataract clinic and a globally recognized position on the world cataract stage, there’s no better place in the US to entrust your surgery.

Discover more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/ and call today to book a consultation.

The premium Clareon PanOptix Pro IOL (intraocular lens) has hit the market surrounded by hype.

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