OREANDA-NEWS. Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its AcrySof® IQ Aspheric IOL with the UltraSertTM Pre-loaded Delivery System for patients undergoing cataract surgery. This new delivery system combines the control of a manually loaded device with the safety and convenience of a disposable, pre-loaded injector to optimize the implantation of the AcrySof IQ Aspheric IOL into the cataract patient's eye. Nearly four million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the US. The UltraSertTM Pre-loaded Delivery System received the European CE mark in June 2015.

"The introduction of the UltraSert Pre-loaded Delivery System further reinforces our commitment to advancing cataract surgery through innovation," said Sergio Duplan, Region President, United States and Canada. "We are addressing a distinct need of cataract surgeons for a single-use system that maximizes their control during surgery and helps them streamline procedures to enable improved patient outcomes."

In cataract surgery, controlling the speed of delivery of the IOL when inserted into the eye is an important factor in achieving a successful cataract procedure.  Alcon has addressed this critical factor in the UltraSert Pre-loaded Delivery System with the TensionGlideTM Plunger, a spring-controlled mechanism designed for a smooth, controlled delivery of the AcrySof IQ IOL into the capsular bag. In addition, the UltraSert Pre-loaded Delivery System features a plunger tip which is designed to support consistent IOL folding and precise placement into the capsular bag of the eye.

The design of the new UltraSert Pre-loaded Delivery System also helps to create a less invasive corneal incision during cataract surgery. The smaller nozzle tip allows for a corneal incision down to 2.2 mm[4] for insertion of the IOL while the Depth GuardTM nozzle of the delivery system prevents the device from being inserted deeper into the incision than necessary, preserving the size of the original corneal incision[2].

"In testing this device, I was immediately impressed with its smooth control and single hand delivery," said Dr. Robert Lehmann, M.D., F.A.C.S, a practicing ophthalmologist at the Lehmann Eye Center of Nacogdoches, Texas, USA. "I believe it will give the surgeon excellent control during the procedure to ensure a consistent delivery of the IOL into the eye. There are many surgeons who are highly interested in pre-loaded devices, and UltraSert represents a major step forward in pre-loaded delivery system technology."

About Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. As a cataract develops, the eye's lens gradually becomes harder and cloudy which scatters light rays and allows less light to pass through it, thus reducing the patient's ability to see. The vast majority of cataracts occur as part of normal aging but radiation exposure, taking steroids, diabetes, and eye trauma can accelerate the development of cataracts. Additionally, cataracts can be hereditary and congenital and can present shortly after birth. Cataracts are the most common age-related eye condition and the leading cause of preventable blindness. Cataracts are treated by surgically removing the eye's cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL). More than 98 percent of cataract surgeries are considered successful and patients can usually return to their normal routines within 24 hours.