The choice of intraocular lenses to be inserted during cataract surgery increases every year in the United States. Within the past year, Johnson and Johnson released its Tecnis Odyssey™ IOL with the Simplicity Delivery System. This is a welcome new addition to the armamentarium of ophthalmic surgeons. As with other lenses, the Odyssey™ lens is a diffractive multifocal implant providing an extended depth of vision to postoperative cataract patients. It is packaged within its own delivery system that reduces any surgically induced trauma to the lens refractive surface.
The lens can be used in a wide range of patients provided that the underlying health of their eyes is normal. However, retina and corneal disease patients do not respond well to this type of lens. It can correct a very wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
In general, it is a multifocal intraocular lens that delivers a wide range of vision after cataract surgery with over a 90% reduction in the need for spectacle correction. Studies show that 93 % of patients are free from glasses for distance activities. 96% can read a smartphone or tablet without glasses and 94% are overall satisfied with their vision without glasses. In addition, the manufacturer states that contrast sensitivity, especially in lower lighting, is better with the Odyssey™ lens compared to competing diffractive intraocular lenses.
Other multifocal intraocular lenses have a similar success rate, so in this regard, the Odyssey™ lens could be viewed as a “me too” intraocular lens. However, the manufacturer reports crisper distance vision with the Odyssey™ lens due to its proprietary lens composition and manufacture. In addition, the lens is said to have less dysphotopsias (halos and glare) than similar lenses due to the frosted edge on the implant as well as blunting the height of the diffractive rings on the lens surface.
In summary, the Odyssey™ Intraocular Lens can be an excellent choice for patients undergoing cataract surgery if they have well-defined visual needs and understand the limitations and aberrations of any artificial intraocular lens. To see if you are a candidate for the new Odyssey™ lens, contact Claris Eye Surgery & LASIK today to schedule your consultation.