Revision Optics is close to entering an FDA study on a new lens design, the Presbylens, which is a small plastic lens that is implanted into the cornea to improve near vision. This could prove beneficial for millions of people suffering from aging of the eyes, or presbyopia. In a study conducted in Mexico, most patients were able to see 20/20 at distance and do near tasks including reading without the need for reading glasses. The FDA is yet to give approval for the start of this study.

Staar Surgical Co expects a delay in approval from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for its Visian Toric ICL, its implantable lens to treat myopia and astigmatism. The PMDA has, however, not sought any more clinical trials for Visian Toric ICL. The company’s Visian ICL products are, however, on a “very quick path” to approval in the country. Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is used to treat myopia or nearsightedness.

Researchers at EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute have reported positive results from the first year clinical trial. The trial is testing whether specialized contact lenses in the non-surgical overnight corneal reshaping process can slow or halt the progression of near sightedness in children. The specially designed contact lenses, when worn overnight in sleep, can change the shape of the cornea. The induced flatter curvature of the cornea results in clear vision, reducing or eliminating the dependence on contact lenses or glasses during waking hours.

SynergEyes Inc. has recently launched a revolutionary hybrid contact lens designed for people who need further vision correction after undergoing refractive vision surgery, such as LASIK. SynergEyes(R) PS (post-surgical) is also designed for patients who have experienced some type of corneal trauma or suffer from certain degenerative vision conditions. Approved for marketing by the FDA, SynergEyes PS hybrid contact lenses bond a “hard” and “soft” contact lens together resulting in a one-of-a-kind vision correction option that provides crisp, clear vision for surgically altered corneas in a comfortable, healthy contact lens.

STAAR Surgical Company has received approval from the Sate Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of the People’s Republic of China to market its Visian™ Toric Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) in the country for treating nearsightedness and astigmatism. This lens, made of a highly biocompatible material called Collamer, is minimally invasive and foldable. The ICL procedure makes an incision that is as much as 50% smaller than that made by other technologies and the lens is placed behind the iris.