A further review of intraocular lenses

David Walker explains where he feels major development in intraocular lenses has taken place

The recent article 'A brief review of intraocular lenses' (optician June 10, 2005 Vol 229) gave a good perspective of the development of some aspects of intraocular lenses. Such articles are of great benefit to the optical practitioner and enable a more pro-active response to a patient's questions or indeed problems. This article will look behind some of the highlights of the recent review and supplement some of the conclusions with scientific data which may mean they can be considered with a higher level of confidence.

THE WORLD MARKET
It has been reported that cataract extraction and intraocular lens replacement is the most performed,^1,2 and statistically safest and most successful surgical procedures performed in the world.^3,4,5 This is certainly a point that can be emphasised to a patient on referral or prior to a procedure. The total number of procedures conducted worldwide is estimated at 15 million per annum. According to Optistock, the cataract/intraocular lens (IOL) market experienced an approximate 5 per cent worldwide growth in 2003, or $2.3 billion in global sales.⁶ There is no published definitive market data; this estimation is reached by analysis of country data, company reports, published articles and analysis of data available from the internet.