An interview with Kevin Barber, MD, a cataract and refractive surgeon with Central Florida Eye Specialists in DeLand, FL

QUENTIN B. ALLEN, MD: What overall effect has the AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® Trifocal Intraocular Lens had on your practice?

DR. BARBER: The PanOptix^® lens has been a welcome addition to the technology that I can offer my patients. I’m finally able to give patients a full range of vision with fewer compromises than we’ve seen from older technology. Patients are very happy with their vision with this lens.

DR. ALLEN: Has your staff needed any additional training to incorporate this lens?

DR. BARBER: My staff is accustomed to our use of presbyopia-correcting IOLs, so they have a strong foundational base of knowledge. They required minimal training to incorporate the PanOptix^® lens.

Staff training for new cataract surgery technology comes primarily from the surgeon. For the PanOptix^® lens, Alcon also has helpful modalities for educating staff and implementing an effective patient education program. Company representatives will give presentations in the practice, and they’ll meet with surgery counselors to offer suggestions on how to discuss the new technology with patients. This ensures that the entire staff and physicians are all using the same terminology. The company also has print and online material for staff and for patients.

DR. ALLEN: Has your approach to patient education changed since introducing the PanOptix^® lens?

DR. BARBER: Patient education has become easier. With the older technology, there was always a discussion about which compromise would be acceptable to a patient. A presbyopia-correcting lens would give good distance vision and either good near or good intermediate vision, but not both. I would have to ask patients, “What’s more important, your computer vision or your near reading vision? You’ve got to choose.” Now that I can offer patients the PanOptix^® lens, I no longer have to have that discussion. I can tell patients they can get good intermediate, near, and distance vision all from this one lens.

DR. ALLEN: How do you describe the PanOptix^® technology to patients? What characteristics do you emphasize and why?

DR. BARBER: I tell patients that this technology is designed to reduce dependence on eyeglasses as much as possible. I emphasize that most patients report their reading, intermediate, and distance vision is very good with the PanOptix^® lens, and high percentage of patients report a drastic reduction in their use of eyeglasses for their daily activities. I tell them this is one of the best technologies available today for reducing dependence on eyeglasses at all levels.

DR. ALLEN: Are you finding that it’s easier to have conversations with your patients about becoming visually independent now that the PanOptix^® Trifocal is an option?

DR. BARBER: Yes. Educating patients about the PanOptix^® lens is an easier conversation for us to have. I never promise complete independence from eyeglasses, but I tell patients that a high percentage of our patients are free of eyeglasses and contact lenses when they choose the PanOptix^® lens.

And the patients who still use eyeglasses tell me they’re using them for a smaller percentage of their daily lives. So, for all visual aspects, we’ve made a big improvement.

DR. ALLEN: What are your patients saying about their vision with the PanOptix^® lens and how they feel postoperatively?

DR. BARBER: They are incredibly excited, because their results exceeded their expectations. These are the patients who become the greatest billboards for our practice, because they’re telling all of their friends and family about their experience. It’s been really exciting to see that.

DR. ALLEN: Dr. Barber, there are still a number of practices and surgeons out there not using the PanOptix^® Trifocal IOL. Why do you think that is?

DR. BARBER: We all remember when we started implanting the first generation of presbyopia-correcting IOLs, and some of our patients were unhappy. So, in my opinion, there’s still a hesitancy among some surgeons.

Combined with the time required to educate patients and staff, it’s a big commitment and sometimes difficult to do on our busy days. But, I would say that many of the reasons for not offering a presbyopia-correcting IOL are starting to slip away as the technology improves. I think Alcon has taken a big step in the right direction with the PanOptix^® Trifocal IOL.

DR. ALLEN: What advice would you offer to surgeons who are considering the PanOptix^® lens?

DR. BARBER: For surgeons who are considering adopting this technology, I would stress that proper patient selection is an important part of the surgeon’s education. Not everybody is a candidate, and we as physicians have to do our job and select patients that are good candidates for this technology.

DR. ALLEN: What would you tell surgeons who have yet to try the PanOptix^® Trifocal lens to encourage them to offer it as an option for their patients?

DR. BARBER: It’s easy to adapt to this technology and to present it to your patients. In addition, there’s a lot of support around it. Your staff will get the education they need, and you will get the resources you need to educate your patients. I would encourage surgeons to try this lens, because I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised. •