PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mark Blecher, M.D. at Philadelphia Eye Associates in Philadelphia, Pa., is participating in the AcuFocus clinical study for the IC-8 intraocular lens (IOL) designed for patients with cataracts.
“Participating in clinical studies has almost an immeasurable value for me and my team,” said Dr. Blecher. “It helps us with our mission to deliver personalized vision care and transformative vision solutions. That is why we are so excited as we begin to enroll patients in this important cataract study.”
By the age of 65, an estimated 90% of people worldwide experience changes to the natural crystalline lens of the eye. The lens gradually becomes cloudy as a cataract develops leading to blurry vision and eventually vision loss. The only solution to a cataract is the surgical removal of the natural lens and its replacement with an artificial lens called an IOL. More than 25 million cataract procedures are performed worldwide each year. The majority of patients with cataracts are treated with a standard monofocal (single-focus) lens, which allows the patient to have excellent far vision; however, patients remain dependent on glasses for near and intermediate vision.
Dr. Blecher will be one of a select group of clinical investigators across the United States for the IC-8 lens study. The IC-8 lens is a clear monofocal lens with a mini-ring placed in the center. The mini-ring has an opening, or pinhole, designed to increase the range of vision by extending the focus of light rays that enter the eye. The clinical study will determine if the IC-8 lens in one eye, when paired with a standard monofocal lens in the other eye, will provide near and intermediate vision in addition to far vision for cataract patients.
Philadelphia Eye Associates is now enrolling patients that meet the study eligibility criteria. Patients who comply with study commitments will be compensated. Some basic qualifications include the following:
- At least 22 years of age.
- Have cataracts in both eyes.
- Are available, willing and able to participate in examinations and all follow-up study visits and appointments.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer participant in the IC-8 lens clinical study, please contact Lisa Flynn at Philadelphia Eye Associates at 800-448-6767 ext. 1115 or at lflynn@phillyeye.com.
ABOUT US
Philadelphia Eye Associates is proud to be a division of Vantage EyeCare, the largest comprehensive provider of eye care and state of the art eye surgery in the region. Philly Eye has four offices and seven doctors offering the most advanced cataract, cornea, diabetic and cosmetic eye care. The IC-8 IOL clinical study will be performed through our South Philadelphia location.
ABOUT ACUFOCUS & THE IC-8 IOL
AcuFocus, Inc., is a privately held ophthalmic medical device company that develops and markets breakthrough technologies for the improvement of vision. The IC-8 lens received its CE mark in 2014 and is available in select markets across Europe and Asia. Founded in 2001, AcuFocus is based in Irvine, Calif. For additional information about the IC-8 intraocular lens, visit www.ic8lensclinicalstudy.com or https://www.facebook.com/ic8lensclinicalstudy.
