Wavefront Technology Benefits Presbyopia Sufferers

Progressive lenses developed using wavefront technology offer significant improvements over standard lenses for treating presbyopia, according to a new study.

A researcher with the Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI; Lynbrook, NY, USA) cited a 609-person study that showed 72% of patients reported better or clearly better near vision with the wavefront-optimized progressive lenses. Additionally, the study revealed that 67% reported better or clearly better distance vision and 65% reported better or clearly better intermediate vision. Wavefront-optimized lenses also had three times less distance distortion and reduced astigmatism for an intermediate viewing area, allowing it to be 30% wider.

Wavefront technology can also correct many of the low-light vision problems such as ghosting and halos that are common in traditional progressive lenses. Fine-tuning wavefront optics brings sharper vision, less blurring, and overall enhanced performance to progressive lenses. The study was presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2006 Joint Meeting, held during November 2006 in Las Vegas (NV, USA).

"In the study, wavefront optimized lenses provided improved near view optics because they offered better control of the correction,” said data presenter Marguerite McDonald, M.D., a leading researcher in ophthalmology and wavefront technology, and a former professor of ophthalmology at the Louisiana State University (LSU; Baton Rouge, LA, USA) Eye Center. "Wavefront-optimized lenses correct the lens itself so that when light passes through on the way to the eye, less distortion occurs. The result is sharper vision and more generously sized viewing areas at near, intermediate, and distance.”

Presbyopia, also known as the over 40 near blur syndrome, is a refractive condition in which there is a diminished power of accommodation arising from loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens, as occurs during aging. The condition usually becomes significant after age 45.





Related Links:
Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island
Louisiana State University