Patients who are unable to undergo LASIK can have another chance to be spectacle-free in the form of implantable contact lenses (ICLs). During the recently held Ophthalmology Futures Forum Virtual 2021, ophthalmologists from U.S. and Asia, together with manufacturers, discussed the current scenario and the future of ICLs in Asia.
The panel agreed that ICLs are fast gaining popularity in Asia, including in China. Dr. Marcus Ng, an associate professor at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), said that there are highly myopic patients in Asia who really want to get rid of their glasses. “I think that we are going to see a move toward ICLs in a couple of years, especially as the technology improves. I heard from my colleagues in China that SMILE really took off pre-COVID. The numbers are phenomenal for the past couple of years. Then, ICLs took over SMILE, even for the low myopes,” he said.
“Many people assume that myopic eyes have long axial length with deep anterior chambers, and a lot of space in the sulcus. But this is not true. It is a myth. We see a lot of pigment dispersion even in high myopes with theoretically good white to white,” he added.
Prof. Jodhbir Mehta, head of Cornea External Disease and senior consultant in Refractive Surgery at SNEC, noted that imaging and understanding lens sizing is critical in Asian eyes that have high myopia and a shallow anterior chamber. He added that diagnostics today are much better than those in the past.
Nevertheless, for the early presbyopia age group, clear lens extraction/refractive lens exchange could be the competing surgical procedure of choice for ICL, especially in Asia, Dr. Ang noted.
The panel agreed that refractive surgery is a promising field to be in and there has never been a better time to be a refractive surgeon.
The Future of ICLs in Asia
Maximilian Foerst, president of Carl Zeiss Far East Co., Carl Zeiss Shanghai Co. and Carl Zeiss IMT Shanghai,said: “The market has an incredible future with many new solutions to solve multiple issues. It is going to continue to be big because there is a huge need out there.”
Meanwhile, Rex Chandler, vice president of global strategic marketing at STAAR Surgical, said that ophthalmology is a sort of “happy medicine.”
“We can really change people’s lives on how they see the world, how they view their families, and how they go about their daily lives. So many options and technologies are blossoming. I think we have only tapped the surface on what we can do with these technologies,” shared Mr. Chandler.
“It is an exciting field. We welcome all options, because then we get to choose the best options for our patients,” Dr. Ang concluded.
Editor’s Note: The 2021 Asian Retina and Asian virtual forums, organized by the Ophthalmology Futures Forum, were held on March 25 and 26, respectively. Reporting for this story took place during the event.
